Ghana’s Ministry of Health has confirmed at least 16 deaths following a meningitis outbreak that has infected more than 120 people as of Sunday, February 16.
Updating Parliament on Tuesday, February 18, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated that the Upper West Region remains the hardest hit, with 29 patients currently receiving treatment. The most affected districts include Wa Municipal, Nadowli, Wa West, Jirapa, and Nandom.
Akandoh identified two main pathogens responsible for the outbreak—Listeria and Streptococcus pneumoniae. While vaccines exist for Listeria, they are ineffective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, the strain currently driving infections in the Upper West Region.
In response, the government has deployed a national team of health experts to assist regional and district health authorities.
Emergency operations centers have been activated, and treatment for affected patients is now free. Additionally, community leaders have been engaged to spread awareness, while the World Health Organization (WHO) has sent experts to help manage the outbreak
These measures, according to Akandoh, are beginning to show results, with new cases in the Upper West Region gradually declining.
Meningitis outbreaks are common in Ghana’s northern regions due to the country’s location within Africa’s “Meningitis Belt,” stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia.
The disease is most prevalent during the dry harmattan season, from October to March.