Pneumococcal meningitis: 32 dead

The death toll of Pneumococcal Meningitis in Ghana has hit 32, generating fear and panic among Ghanaians.

Over 90 cases are being handled in the Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Northern regions.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has assured residents of the Brong Ahafo region not to panic over the outbreak of the pneumococcal meningitis in the region, saying health experts are in control of the situation.

Health experts in the area say the latest strain is more contagious and fatal than Cerebrospinal Meningitis.

The outbreak which started last year in the Tain District has also spread to Wenchi, Techiman, Bruohan, Kintampo, and Sene districts in the same region.

Pneumococcal Meningitis is a deadly disease in which there is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

It is caused by viral or bacterial infection, and marked by intense headache and fever, sensitivity to light, and muscular rigidity.

Source: starrfmonline.com