New strain of CSM bacteria raises fears of epidemic

Navrongo (UE), Oct. 12, GNA - A new and serious disease causing strain of the cerebro-spinal meningitis bacteria has found its way from Burkina Faso into the Upper East Region raising fears of a possible epidemic in the area.

Burkina Faso has experienced an epidemic between 2006 and this year with some reported deaths because of this strain. Dr Abdulai Forgor, Project Head of CSM in the Kasena-Nankana District, said conditions were rife for the spread of the disease in Ghana because apart from the entry of the new strain, there were indicators that every eight to 10 years there was a cycle of a CSM epidemic in the country with the last one being in 1996 and 1997.

He said these indicators coupled with the extreme climatic conditions currently being experienced through downpours and an expected extreme dry climatic condition should alert the country to stand in readiness to contain and deal with an outbreak.

Dr Forgor was speaking to journalists from the Ghana Chapter of the African Media and Malaria Research Network in Navrongo who are on a tour of some parts of the north to assess the health situation of the population, with particular attention to malaria following the floods, which engulfed these areas.

The visit, which has already taken the journalists to Tamale and Daboya in the Northern Region, has been sponsored by the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance, an African-led malaria alliance established to build capacity in the fight against malaria.

Dr Forgor said there was the need for a vaccination exercise now to build the immunity of the population especially those in Bawku and the Kasena-Nankana districts before the CSM season in November to May. He said fortunately, the Upper East Region had an enhanced surveillance system in place and good treatment protocols to cope with the condition.