In less than two weeks, the pneumococcal meningitis outbreak that initially struck the West Gonga District of northern Ghana has not only seen an increase in cases and deaths, but has also spread to other regions and towns.
During a press conference Tuesday, The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Victor Bampoe reported that at least 19 fatalities have been reported out of the nearly five dozen cases reported.
Bampoe did however say that the outbreak has been contained.
The outbreak has affected people in the Tain, Wenchi, Techiman and Bruohan districts in the Brong Ahafo Region of south Ghana. According to Dr Bampoe, it remains unclear why the Pneumococcal Meningitis is spreading quickly.
Pneumococcal meningitis occurs when bacteria invade the bloodstream and infect the membranes protecting the brain and the spinal cord.
Related:
- Monkeypox outbreak reported in Mbomou prefecture, Central African Republic
- Lassa fever deaths reach 53 in Nigeria as outbreak declared
- Ebola in Sierra Leone, One day after Ebola-free declaration in West Africa