Regional News of Saturday, 18 January 2003

Source: gna

Unidentified disease claims seven lives

An outbreak of a strange disease at Afaode in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region since last December, as claimed seven lives.

Mr Nicholas Ahiadorme, the District Chief Executive (DCE) told newsmen at Ho last Friday that 10 more people were receiving treatment at Battor hospital and Mercy clinic at Juapong.

He said symptoms associated with the strange disease which mostly affected children included, severe headache, stiff neck, running nose and violent behaviours.

The DCE noted that similar symptoms were being reported in pockets of settlements in the district.

Mr Ahiadorme therefore, appealed to the Volta Regional Health Administration (VRHA) to dispatch a team of medical personnel to the area to assess the situation.

He urged the people to refrain from ascribing superstition to the disease instead, they should seek prompt medical attention.

Mr Ahiadorme assured that the Assembly would bear the medical bills of patients who are unable to pay for their treatment.

A source at the VRHA who corroborated the disease outbreak said samples of fluids were being analysed to ascertain the disease.

The source also said it would be too early to draw any conclusions about the flu-like disease as Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM).