Cerebrospinal Meningitis: Upper West Cases increase to 303

30 more persons have contracted Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Upper West Region of Ghana, within the past two weeks, bringing the total case count of the disease in the region to 303.

One more fatality case has been recorded, increasing the death toll to 44.

This is according to a press statement issued today [May 5, 2020] and signed by the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih.

It noted that, the Nandom and Jirapa municipalities, as well as the Nadowli-Kaleo districts continue to record a majority of the cases.

The Ghana Health Service deployed a team of experts to help bring the disease under control.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye who visited the region last week to assess the situation reported to Parliament that the pandemic was under control.

But the statement said, “laboratory investigations indicate an increase in the number of cases with the majority of them being caused by Neisseria Meningitides Sero Group X which currently has no vaccine”.

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The statement, however, stated that “with an increased risk communication, individuals now report to health facilities for treatment, which has witnessed a significant reduction in the case fatality associated with the disease.”

On what the region is doing to curtail the endemic, the Minister said the Rapid Response Teams (RRT) at both regional and district levels have intensified monitoring and investigations on all suspected cases and rumours as they are reported.

The release urged the general public to drink more water, sleep in well-ventilated areas, cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and report to the nearest health facilities when experiencing symptoms such as high temperature, fever, stiff neck, as well as headache.