The Upper West Region is witnessing a concerning rise in cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) cases, with infections climbing from 42 to 60 and fatalities reaching 14.

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Health officials have attributed the increasing death toll to factors such as misdiagnoses, delays in seeking treatment, and the high cost of medical care.

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In response, authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak, emphasizing the need for early medical intervention and considering free treatment for affected individuals.

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Dr. Damien Punguyire, the Regional Health Director, explained that many cases are initially mistaken for malaria, leading to inappropriate treatments.

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“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,” he said.

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Dr. Punguyire cautioned that patients often realize their condition is critical only when it is too late. He stressed the importance of early intervention and advised individuals diagnosed with malaria to seek further medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen within 12 to 24 hours.

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“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,” he emphasized.

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Health authorities are urging residents to adhere to preventive measures, including reducing overcrowding and staying hydrated, to minimize the risk of infection.

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