The Ashanti Region recorded 42 cases of meningitis in 2024, representing a 133% increase from the 18 cases recorded a year before.
One person died from this significant rise in meningitis, suggesting an alarming public health distress.
According to the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, the transmission occurs through direct contact, including respiratory droplets, with carrier rates peaking at 50% during epidemics.
Meningitis has become a serious and potentially fatal disease in Ghana and is endemic in the regions of the north.
The outbreak in the Upper West region saw 10 deaths out of 42 cases in 2024.
The Upper West region’s outbreak had a high fatality rate of approximately 23.81%, compared to the Ashanti region in 2024.
Despite the severity disparities of meningitis, cases in the Ashanti region continue to rise.
Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng highlighted the underlying environmental and demographic causes of the diseases.
“It is very difficult if not impossible to tell which of these agents of meningitis unless it is confirmed by the labs, because usually the presentations, that is the signs and symptoms are similar if not the same. Carrier rates may be as high as 25% during endemic periods and as high as 50% during epidemics. Incubation Period: This varies from 2 to 10 days, an average of 3-4 days.
“Meningitis, primarily caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Neisseria meningitides, grows at the vulnerability of risk factors when not properly managed. The combination of conditions (environment, host and organism) is necessary for an epidemic to occur. Immunological susceptibility of the population (loss of herd immunity to the prevalent strain); Special climatic conditions (low humidity, dry season, dusty storm).
The potential lethality of the disease if not managed promptly depends on medical intervention and personal measures.
The Ashanti regional health directorate has launched an awareness creation campaign to effectively control the disease, including vaccination, and proper hygiene.
Dr. Adomako-Boateng is urging districts and hospitals to intensify surveillance efforts aside from standard precautions.
He recommends testing for alternative causes of fever when malaria tests are negative, particularly during peak seasons.
“Districts and hospitals are urged to intensify surveillance. If a malaria test or test for the fever for malaria is negative, please look for a different cause of the fever especially in the season especially for early confirmation,” he said.
Standard precautions like hand hygiene, mask usage, and avoiding overcrowding are advised for the public to mitigate the risk of transmission.
“For standard precaution, public should observe hygiene with soap and running water, or sanitizers, use of mask when you have cold or flu, cough into the elbow, If possible, stay in the house to avoid overcrowding, adequately hydrate and report early when you have any the signs and symptoms,” said Dr. Adomako-Boateng.
