By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, Mar 10, GNA – Two people have died from Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Upper East Region between January 1, 2025, and March 2, 2025.
The Region within the period, recorded a total of 31 suspected cases, out of which the two died from streptococcus pneumonia, one of the bacteria that cause meningitis.
Dr Samuel Kwabena Boakye-Boateng, Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), who has been reassigned to the GHS Headquarters as Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PPMED), disclosed this when he briefed the media on CSM and cholera situation in the Region.
CSM, which is caused by a group of bacteria strains namely; streptococcus pneumonia, neisseria meningitidis and haemophilus influenzae, is an epidemic-prone disease that affects a sizable proportion of the global population.
Its mode of transmission is by direct contact through respiratory droplets and indirect contact by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, with clinical signs and symptoms such as fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, among others.
Dr Boakye-Boateng emphasized that even though the Service recorded two mortalities, there was no meningitis outbreak in the Region, “Let me put on record that the Upper East Region has not recorded meningitis outbreak in 2025.”
For the Region’s preparedness and response in the event of outbreak, he said the Regional Health Directorate in collaboration with key stakeholders, initiated the necessary measures to safeguard the health and well-being of all residents.
“All our Municipal and District Health Directorates, and health facilities have been placed on high alert, with intensified disease surveillance to detect and report cases early. All Municipal and District Rapid Response Teams have been activated to address any suspected cases and provide immediate medical assistance.
“Weekly epidemiology bulletins on meningitis and other epidemic prone diseases developed by our Public Health Department are shared with all who matter,” Dr Boakye-Boateng stated among other measures.
On cholera, the outgoing Regional Director explained that it was an acute diarrheal disease caused by bacteria known as vibro cholerae, transmitted through faeco-oral route.
He said the disease had rapid transmission potentials with severe acute watery diarrhoea which could be fatal within hours if untreated, adding that “Most people infected with vibro cholerae do not develop symptoms but can spread the bacteria through their faeces for one to 10 days.”
Dr Boakye-Boateng noted that symptoms appeared 12hours to five days after infection, and that most people with the disease had mild to moderate symptoms, while a few developed severe acute watery diarrhea and life-threatening dehydration.
He said 6,405 suspected cases were reported in five affected Regions in October 2024, out of which 561 were confirmed cases with 49 deaths.
He said the GHS in response to the outbreak, conducted reactive Oral Cholera Vaccination campaigns in the affected hotspots, and that all Regions including the Upper East, activated emergency response mechanisms including heightened disease surveillance and public education on cholera prevention.
The Director called on residents to remain calm, vigilant and adhere to public health guidelines, prevent, and reduce overcrowding in homes and public places, sleep in well-ventilated rooms and ensure proper ventilation in schools and public spaces.
GNA
FAA/KOA