One more person has been confirmed
dead in the Tain District of the Brong Ahafo Region following an outbreak of
Pneumococcal meningitis.
This raises the death toll to nine
since December last year. Pneumococcal meningitis occurs when bacteria
invades the bloodstream and affects the membranes protecting the brain and
the spinal cord.
Tain District Health Director, Dr.
Michael Rockson Adjei, told Citi News that so far, health professionals
in the area are trying to contain the situation.
“We have recorded about thirty-one
cases. The last case was two days ago. For more than 24 hours now, we have not
had any new case. However, we lost a patient who was unconscious
bringing the death toll to nine.”
Dr. Adjei cautioned people
on the need to ensure proper ventilation especially in this dry season.
“The meningitis is transferred
through the air so when you are sleeping in the same room with a number of
people and is poorly ventilated, those who have it may cough and breathe and
one may inhale it and be infected. Some people are also carriers who are not
aware so they may also infect people.”
Meanwhile, the Public Heath Unit of
the District Health Service has activated their emergency surveillance plan.
These include series of community
sensitization at the mosques, houses and churches. But Dr. Adjei assured people
not to panic.
“We have a surveillance team coming
to the region to determine who brought the disease into the community so we
have everything under control. However, what we are trying to manage is the
panic.
Within an outbreak, there is a lot of panic and people are afraid but we
assure everyone one that the situation is under control.”
Dr. Rockson Agyei also cautioned
people to seek early treatment at the hospital immediately they have symptoms
of fever and severe headache.
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Credit: Citifmonline
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