Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) cases are rising in the Upper West Region, with infections increasing from 42 to 60 and fatalities reaching 14.
Health officials are alarmed, citing misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and high medical costs as major contributors to the growing death toll.
In response, authorities are ramping up efforts to contain the outbreak, emphasising early medical intervention and considering free treatment for affected patients.
Regional Health Director, Dr. Damien Punguyire, attributes the increasing fatalities to misdiagnoses and delays in seeking proper treatment.
He explains that many cases are initially mistaken for malaria, leading to improper treatments.
Dr. Punguyire stated that it is often too late when patients realise their condition is deteriorating.
He therefore stressed the importance of early intervention and advises individuals diagnosed with malaria to seek further medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen within 12 to 24 hours.
“For the numbers increasing, we are not too worried about the numbers, but what we are worried about is the number of deaths. Because like I mentioned, this is a germ that is living in our bodies, in our nose, in our throats and so on. And in normal circumstances, it won’t cause you diseases but when the conditions become unfavourable, that is the condition that has fertile grounds for the germ to now sip into your body and start manifesting meningitis.
“So what we can do is to avoid overcrowding, drink a lot of water so that your throats will remain wet and not cracked and above all, when you are feeling unwell with fever or your body is hot or neck pain, you visit the nearest health facility and then they will investigate and treat you. With that, nobody should die.”
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Martina Maasonoo Zaabog