The Upper West Region is experiencing an increase in cases of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM).
Infections have climbed from 42 to 60, with 14 fatalities.
According to health professionals, the increase is due to misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and expensive medical costs.
Authorities have urged for free treatment for infected patients in order to stop the spread of the virus.
Dr. Damien Punguyire, Regional Health Director, stated in a media interview that several of the cases were misdiagnosed as malaria, resulting in ineffective treatments.
He also noted that a large number of affected people do not seek early treatment.
He emphasised the need of seeking early treatment and encouraged anyone diagnosed with malaria to seek additional medical assistance if symptoms persisted or worsened 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.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
