Health News of Saturday, 12 March 2011

Source: GNA

Meningitis claims 15 lives in Upper West

Wa, March 12, GNA - Fifteen people have so far died out of a total of 103 cases of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) recorded in the Upper West Region during the first two months of this year. This was made known by officials of the Regional Health Directorate at a meeting of the Regional Epidemic Committee at Wa to review preventive measures and the state of preparedness of the Region.

The report showed that Jirapa district recorded the largest number of five deaths from 16 cases followed by Sissala West with three deaths from 18 cases and Nadowli District had three deaths from 17 cases.

Two people died of the disease in the Lawra district out of the 21 cases reported, while Lambussie district recorded two deaths from the six cases reported at their health facilities.

Wa Municipal, Sissala East, Wa West and Wa East recorded 11, eight, four and two cases respectively without any reported deaths. The medical authorities also revealed that a seventeen year old boy died from a disease suspected to be anthrax at Fielmua in the Sissala West District of the Region.