Ghana’s Ministry of Health has confirmed at least 16 fatalities following a meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region, which has affected more than 120 people as of Sunday, February 16. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh provided the latest update to Parliament on Tuesday, February 18, revealing that the majority of cases have been reported in the Upper West Region, which remains the epicenter of the outbreak.
As of the update, 29 patients are currently being treated for meningitis in the region. The hardest-hit districts include Wa Municipal, Nadowli, Wa West, Jirapa, and Nandom. The two primary pathogens responsible for the outbreak are Listeria and Streptococcus pneumoniae. While vaccines are available for Listeria, there is no vaccine for the strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing the current wave of infections.
The Ghanaian government has responded swiftly to the crisis by deploying a national team of health experts to support regional and district health authorities. Emergency operations centers have been activated, and treatment for affected individuals has been made free of charge. In addition, local community leaders are being actively engaged to raise awareness and educate the public on preventive measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also sent experts to assist with the ongoing management of the outbreak.
Minister Akandoh reported positive signs, noting that the number of new cases in the Upper West Region has been gradually declining due to the efforts being made. Despite these improvements, the health minister emphasized the importance of continued vigilance.
Meningitis outbreaks are a recurring issue in Ghana’s northern regions, which lie within Africa’s “Meningitis Belt” — a swath of land stretching from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. The disease tends to spike during the dry harmattan season, which runs from October to March, creating optimal conditions for the spread of the bacteria that cause the illness.
The government and health organizations are working tirelessly to control the situation and minimize further losses, as they continue to monitor and respond to the ongoing outbreak.
