Yawbronya (Ash), Nov. 14, GNA - All social gatherings including funerals have been suspended as part of measures to check the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis (CSM) at Yawbronya in the Asante-Akyem South District.

Schools Yawbronya and surrounding villages have been closed down to minimise the risk of spreading the disease among pupils. Mr. Abdul Karim Boakye-Yiadom, the District Chief Executive, said this on Thursday at Yawbronya following the visit of the Regional Director of Health Services, Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Bin Ibrahim to the community to monitor an immunization exercise in the area.

He said Information Services Department had embarked on intensive public education to sensitise the people on the dangers of the disease as well as the preventive measures to adhere to.

Dr. Ibrahim commended Mr Boakye-Yiadom for his active involvement in the fight against the disease and that the suspension of social gatherings was laudable since the disease is airborne. He said the Health Directorate had taken delivery of 10,000 doses of vaccines for the three-day immunization exercise which would cover neighbouring communities such as Ofoase, Essakrom, Gyankobaa, Kofisei, Abuoso and Taabretuo.

Dr Ibrahim said vaccination teams had been deployed to vantage points and persons between the ages of two and 30 are the target.