The Health authorities in the Bono East Region of Ghana are intensifying education and surveillance initiatives to prevent the potential spread of meningitis as the dry season approaches. The Regional Health Services, led by Dr. Paulina Clara Appiah, is implementing proactive measures to curb the disease’s impact.
“Starting from November, when the dry season comes in, we sometimes see a high number of meningitis cases. In preparation, we met and notified our teams that we are getting close to the meningitis season, so we should get ourselves ready,” Dr. Appiah stated.
In an interview with JoyNews reporter Anass Sabit, Dr. Appiah revealed that a regional surveillance team recently conducted monitoring exercises, identifying five suspected meningitis cases. Fortunately, laboratory tests confirmed all cases were negative.
“So far, for this year, we have suspected five meningitis cases, but thankfully, when the samples were sent for testing at the laboratory, they were all negative,” she noted.
Dr. Appiah emphasized the importance of early medical intervention, urging residents to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms.
“We are continuously educating the public about the signs and symptoms. In places like Upper West, where there is an outbreak, if people do not report to the hospital early, no matter what you do, the death toll rises. So we are spreading awareness through our hospitals, OPDs, radio stations, and community information centers,” she explained.
Meningitis, primarily caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Neisseria meningitidis, thrives under specific risk factors, including environmental conditions, host susceptibility, and bacterial presence. Epidemics typically arise due to a combination of factors such as loss of herd immunity and dry-season climatic conditions, including low humidity and dust storms.
Health officials in Bono East remain vigilant, ensuring the public is informed and prepared to mitigate the potential spread of meningitis, safeguarding lives in the process.
Source:JoyNews
