GHS calls for vigilance against meningitis amid dry and dusty weather

The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has cautioned the public, particularly residents within the country’s meningitis belt to remain vigilant as the dry and dusty season increases the risk of meningitis outbreaks.

In a statement dated January 14, 2025, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, described meningitis as a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

According to the release, the disease can spread rapidly, especially in overcrowded living conditions, making early detection and prompt medical attention critical to preventing severe complications or death.

The statement listed common symptoms of meningitis as sudden high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and convulsions. In infants, signs may include persistent crying, refusal to feed, and a bulging fontanelle.

The Ministry noted that children under five, adolescents, the elderly, people living in congested environments, and individuals with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to the disease.

The public has been advised to avoid overcrowded and poorly ventilated spaces, practise good respiratory hygiene, wash hands regularly, stay well hydrated, keep immunisations up to date and seek medical care promptly when symptoms appear.

The statement further urged anyone experiencing symptoms or suspecting a case of meningitis to report immediately to the nearest health facility, stressing that early reporting and treatment save lives.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service have assured the public that disease surveillance systems have been strengthened, with health facilities placed on alert to respond swiftly to any suspected cases.

Read the full statement

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