Prison Service warns of Meningitis outbreak

The Ghana Prison Service has issued an alert to some prison services across the country so as prevent the major factors that trigger meningitis outbreak.

Prisons in the Brong Ahafo and Northern regions are among those advised to be on the lookout for possible meningitis cases.

Congestion and heat are noted to be some of the major factors that trigger meningitis outbreak.

These two factors are, however, common in prisons across the country and are even worse in the three regions in the North.

Prisons in those areas are likely to be the worst hit should an outbreak occur.

They have been victims in the past but the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Prisons Service, Superintendent Vitalis Aiyeh, says steps have been taken to avert a possible outbreak.

“We have containment and isolation block for every prison for that matter anybody who is coming to the prison for the first time is not put in the general prison.

“They are contained for a number of days and observed before being asked to join their colleagues in the general prison,” he said.

Sup Aiyeh said another measure is that they do not allow “body touch or interaction that can easily transfer a virus or any diseases to another person.”

“A handshake is okay, but a hug, a kiss and the rest are not allowed,” he added.

According to him, the Ebola outbreak in 2014 taught them to keep disinfecting and keep some and liquid at vantage points for use.

He believes such measures will control the extent to which prisons will catch the virus or any other contagious disease.