Meningitis claims 5 lives in Upper West

Five people have died as a result of meningitis in the Upper West region, since the beginning of 2017.

The strain detected so far is the S. Pneumoniae.

The cases were reported at the various health posts in the region within the first three weeks of the year.

Five districts have recorded the cases with Nadowli exceeding an epidemic threshold.

Health officials are currently embarking on health education in the region to avert further deaths.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service has been creating awareness on the disease since it is normally contracted around this time of the year.

Meningitis is commonly spread through close contact, sneezing, coughing and kissing with affected persons.

Symptoms include fever, and headache coupled with pain and stiffness in the neck, convulsions and confusion, which are experienced within two to 10 days of infection.