With the dry, dusty Harmattan winds intensifying, Ghana’s Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service have issued a stark public health alert, warning of a significantly increased risk of meningitis outbreaks across the country. The urgent advisory calls for immediate public vigilance and underscores the life-threatening speed at which the disease can spread.
The alert, a follow-up to a December warning, comes as seasonal conditions create an ideal environment for the transmission of the bacterial infection, which causes severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes. Health authorities stress that the disease thrives in the overcrowded and poorly ventilated indoor settings where people often gather to escape the harsh outdoor conditions.
“Meningitis is a race against time. Delaying treatment by even hours can mean the difference between life and death,” the Ministry’s statement warned. Officials are urging the public to recognize critical symptoms: a sudden and intense fever, a severe headache that feels unlike any other, a stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, and in infants, a bulging soft spot on the head and persistent crying.
The populations most at risk include young children under five, adolescents, the elderly, and those living in congested communities, particularly within Ghana’s northern meningitis belt. The Ghana Health Service has directed all health facilities nationwide to be on high alert, with surveillance systems actively monitoring for suspected cases.
To combat the spread, health directives advise avoiding overcrowded spaces, practicing stringent respiratory hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands frequently, and ensuring all family members’ vaccinations are current. The Ministry emphasized that anyone suspecting meningitis must seek medical care without delay, as early antibiotic treatment is crucial for survival.
Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, confirmed that the health system is mobilized and prepared to respond. The public is urged to treat the alert with the utmost seriousness and adhere to preventive measures until the risky dry season subsides.
Source: 3news.com
