About five people have been reported dead following the fresh outbreak of pneumococcal meningitis at Bole in the Northern Region.

Out of the 12 new cases recorded since the beginning of this year, five lives have been lost.

Last week, nine people were reported dead in the Brong Ahafo region after the outbreak of the infectious disease.

Pneumococcal meningitis causes severe swelling of the protective membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord.

Joy News’ Matilda Wemegah has joined a team of officials from the Health Ministry and the Ghana Health Service to tour the region and reports that measures are being put in place to bring the situation under control.

District Director of Health Services, Chief Bumawura Ewuntomash Mahama who was briefing the Deputy Minister and his team at the Bole District Hospital described the situation as an epidemic.

Chief Bumawura Ewuntomash Mahama

The epidemic  in his view can create serious problems if the necessary strategies are not put in place to contain the situation in the shortest possible time.

He however stated that “our epidemic management teams are meeting; all the sub district teams have set up educational teams and are moving around in all communities to educate residents about the disease.”

Director of Public Health Dr Badu Sarkodie who also assessed the situation indicated that responses so far from the district has been appropriate and adequate.

He is confident the national response plan put in place will help deal with the outbreak.

Deputy Health Minister, Dr Victor Bampoe urged the district to intensify their surveillance.

He said resources have already been dispatched to the affected districts to prevent the situation from escalating.

“We are going to have a meeting in Techiman with all the District Directors of the affected districts and see what else they will need so we can send them over immediately,” he added.