Wa, Upper West Region – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is urging residents of the Upper West Region to prioritize basic hygiene practices to prevent further spread of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM). This call follows a rise in cases in the region, which has tragically resulted in 14 deaths.
Dr. Damien Punguyire, Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, stressed the importance of good hygiene and sleeping in well-ventilated areas to limit the infection’s spread.
He explained to the media that while the bacteria responsible for CSM is naturally present in the human body, it can become problematic under certain environmental conditions, especially during harsh weather.
Dr. Punguyire also advised residents to practice proper respiratory etiquette, particularly in crowded settings where airborne diseases can easily transmit. “This is a bacteria that is living in us, in the human body. And throughout the year, we are living with it, but it doesn’t cause problems. So what we can do when the weather at this stage is not good is that you need to hydrate yourself very well. Drink a lot of water, when your throat is wet, you make sure it doesn’t crack,” he said.
“When somebody is going to sneeze, you cover your nostrils, if you are coughing and all that. We try to do that and then leave in highly good ventilation areas.”
CSM is a serious infection affecting the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It spreads through close contact, coughing, sneezing, and sharing personal items.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes convulsions.
