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An outbreak of pneumococcal meningitis caused by streptococcus pneumoniae has been ongoing in Ghana since December 2015. As of 10 February 2016, a total of 465 suspected cases have been hospitalised for treatment and 85 deaths have been recorded. Suspected cases were first reported from Tain district in Brong Ahafo Region (BAR). In January 2016, cases were reported in 6 districts of Wenchi, Techiman north, Nkoranza south, Atebubu, Techniman municipal and Sene west in BAR, Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba in Northern region.
Sporadic cases have also been reported in six districts in the Ashanti region including Ejisu Juabeng, Offinso municipal, Offinso north, Asante Akim Central and Adansi South.
Since the beginning of 2016, WHO has been supporting the MOH in Ghana to strengthen laboratory and health facility capacity in the affected areas.
(Via Ministry of Health, Ghana - accessed 29/02/16)
(Via WHO Regional Office for Africa - accessed 29/02/16)
Meningococcal disease is found worldwide but epidemics may occur in this country, which lies within the extended meningitis belt of Africa, particularly during the dry season. Most travellers will be at very low risk, particularly package tourists.
The mode of transmission is person-to-person contact through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions from carriers. Close and prolonged contact – such as kissing, sneezing or coughing on someone, or living in close quarters (such as a dormitory, sharing eating or drinking utensils) with an infected person – facilitates the spread of the disease.
Mass vaccination campaigns are usually not carried out in outbreaks of pneumococcal meningitis; it is very important, however, to report early for diagnosis and treatment if symptoms develop.
Pneumococcal vaccine is part of the UK immunisation for certain high risk groups. Travellers within these at risk groups should ensure that there vaccination status is up-to-date.
