The outbreak of diseases in parts of the country continues to spread as one student of the Asamankese Senior High School (ASASCO) in the Eastern Region dies of a suspected case of meningitis.

The student, 17-year-old Eric Boateng, died on Wednesday, December 20 and necessary steps are being taken to prevent further spread, reports Joy News Eastern Region Correspondent, Kofi Siaw.

Health authorities in the region have since quarantined 60 other students in a bid to contain the situation.

Eric was sent home from school after falling sick.

His parents took him to the hospital on Sunday, December 17, where he was treated.

However, he was still not feeling better and returned to the hospital on Wednesday complaining of a headache, stiff neck and fever.

A laboratory test of fluids from the body of the General Arts student confirmed meningitis but he died before he could be treated for the disease.

Health experts had to step in and conduct contact tracing leading to the quarantine of the 60 individuals.

Eric’s teachers say he was one of the most brilliant students in the school.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that one student from the Koforidua Secondary Technical School also died from meningitis a few weeks ago.

Outbreak

The recent outbreak of meningitis and H1N1 influenza in some senior high schools across the country has claimed the lives of at least eight students.

Although some analysts have put the cause of the deaths to overcrowding in the schools with the onset of the free SHS programme, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, has refuted that suggestion.

A decontamination exercise to rid Kumasi Academy of viruses and bacterial infection after four students died from H1N1 influenza.

The two-week exercise which started last week has already seen classrooms, dormitories, assembly and dining halls as well as bathrooms of the school disinfected.