The Upper West Region is grappling with a concerning surge in meningitis cases, with regional health officials confirming that the death toll has reached 10 in January 2025. The number of reported cases has also increased significantly, rising to 30 from 17 earlier in the month.
Dr. Damien Punguriye, Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, disclosed these alarming figures during a recent interview on GBC News. He clarified that the reported cases are of meningitis, not cerebrospinal meningitis, stressing the distinction between the two diseases.
Health authorities are ramping up surveillance efforts, but Dr. Punguriye identified a major challenge: patients often seek medical care only when their condition has severely worsened. “The challenge is the reports come in when they’re in a very bad state,” he noted. He explained that while effective treatment is available, delayed medical intervention allows the disease to progress rapidly, leading to unconsciousness and potential permanent damage to vital organs, including the brain.
Dr. Punguriye urged the public to seek medical attention promptly at the first sign of illness. “Generally, if you feel unwell with any symptoms, just go to the nearest health facility real quick so they can be able to investigate. If it happens to be meningitis, they’ll give you the treatment; if it’s not, you’ll still be treated for the right condition,” he advised.
Emphasizing the importance of early detection, Dr. Punguriye warned that late-stage cases leave medical professionals with limited options. “When patients report late, there’s usually little that can be done,” he said, underscoring the urgency of early intervention.
In response to the outbreak, health authorities have intensified educational campaigns and active surveillance to swiftly detect and manage new cases. However, Dr. Punguriye stressed that public cooperation is essential to curbing the spread of the disease, urging residents to take personal responsibility and visit health facilities at the onset of symptoms.
As the region battles this outbreak, health officials continue to call for increased vigilance and timely medical intervention to prevent further fatalities.
Source- GBCNews
