ADVERTISEMENT

Pneumococcal meningitis: 5 more dead

The disease has already killed nine people in the Tain, Wenchi and Bruohan in the Brong Ahafo Region.

File photo

Twenty seven more deaths have been recorded in the wake of the Pneumococcal Meningitis.

The outbreak, which began last year has already killed nine people in the Tain, Wenchi and Bruohan in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The Head of the Disease Surveillance Department of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Badu Sarkodie has told Accra-based Citi FM that his outfit is collaborating with the Health Ministry to control a further spread of the disease.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We have heightened surveillance and all the regions and districts have received alerts to be on high surveillance alert. We are conducting public education in particularly the areas affected. We have oriented and sensitized the staff regarding the case management team to manage this adequately so that the best of care will be given to the people that will be affected.”

He said the Ghana Health Service is in communication with the World Health Organisation on the appropriate use of vaccines to control the disease.

“We are working with the World Health Organisation and other agencies to ensure that should it be necessary to use the vaccines, to what extent to vaccinate the whole community and then the criteria to use to get the vaccine,” he added.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

Causes include bacterial, viral, parasites and even chemical. Bacterial meningitis is caused by various bacterial pathogens. Neisseria meningitides, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemphilus influenza type b represents the triad responsible for over 80% of all cases of bacterial meningitis.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT