Reports that CSM kills 58 in UER false: 6 dead out of 58 cases - Dr. Issah

The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Kofi Issah has debunked reports that Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) has killed 58 people within 13 weeks. Reports by some media houses said CSM has killed 58 people since January this year till date.

Speaking to Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Dr. Issah said the report is not true and has not granted an interview the Ghanaians Times Newspaper (the paper that published the story).

According to him, the information put out was that there were 58 cases with 6 deaths between January and March this year.

‘’That is not true and I have never granted any interview to anybody in Ghanaian times. And let me state the fact here, If they listen, they should listen carefully- where they got their information from.

What the epidemic management committee put out was this; that between January and March 2016, there were 150 cases and 15 deaths… Now when you compare it to the same period-2017 we have 58 cases, 6 deaths.

So where they got their 58 deaths from; I don’t know why people will be so much in love with death. And let me put it on record that I never granted any interview with Ghanaian Times.’’ According to him, it will be unreasonable for him to be holding his office as Regional Health Director if 58 deaths occurred. ‘’Can you imagine 58 deaths and I am still at post, he added. He said, in an epidemic, people should be circumspect in their reportage and has charged the media to cross check their information before publishing.

The number of deaths he lamented would mean a national catastrophe for the country. He also described it as mischief. He said Ghana has adopted an enhanced surveillance to manage the situation. CSM is the infection of the meninges, the membrane that envelopes the brain and the spinal cord.

It is associated with painful inflammation of these membranes. Symptoms, included sensitivity to light, fear of loud sound, confusion, headaches, vomiting, high fever and stiffness of the neck.

He further called for surveillance of everyone considering the spread of the disease.

The disease he explained is spread in a crowed place with poor ventilation.

He also advised Ghanaians to seek early treatment if they identify any of the symptoms.