CSM kills 18 in Northern region

Eighteen people have been confirmed dead in newly recorded cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in two neighboring districts of the Northern region- Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba.

The deaths have been recorded within a spate of three months, health officials in the region have confirmed.

106 more individuals have also been reportedly infected with the disease.

A nurse at the Bole hospital who confirmed the development to Starr News Eliasu Tanko said :"We have recorded 48 cases in Bole, 58 cases from Sawla; and out of the 48 cases, 18 of the patients are dead including adult and children but no records of pregnant women".

The Northern regional Health Director Dr. Jacob Mahama also said "there has been an outbreak since the beginning of the year, the minister has been there, we've been there, the deputy minister has been there".

It has not yet been established how the disease broke out in the area but frightened residents are urging local health officials to immediately immunize them, with some pleading with government to take measures to curb the outbreak.

The Bole district health director Emmanuel Awuntomah told local journalists the ministry of Health has dispatched vaccines to the area

Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal membrane and can be caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria.

The outbreak has reportedly taken a toll on business activities in the area as patrons are pulling out.