The Municipal HIV/TB Focal Person for the Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region, Ruth Atarivi, is urging residents to remain vigilant and look out for signs of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), stressing the need for early detection to prevent severe illness and death.
Ms. Atarivi said early recognition of symptoms is critical to reducing complications and improving recovery outcomes.
According to her, common symptoms of CSM include sudden severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, joint pain, difficulty swallowing and general body weakness.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately,” she advised.
CSM is an infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is most often caused by bacterial pathogens, particularly Neisseria meningitidis, and can progress rapidly, leading to brain damage, hearing loss or death if not treated promptly. Outbreaks are more common in northern Ghana, especially during the dry season, when low humidity and dusty winds increase transmission risk.
Ms. Atarivi stressed that early treatment, typically involving antibiotics, plays a crucial role in reducing the severity of the disease and can save lives.
She also called on the public to prioritize prevention during the dry season, when CSM cases historically surge in the region.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joseph Napoleon Anaaya|Bolgatanga
