An outbreak of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Upper East Region has claimed 16 lives in two months. Health authorities in the region are stepping up efforts to halt the spread of the disease which has assumed an epidemic proportion. The Upper East Director of Health Service Dr. Awoonor Williams confirmed to Joy News that about 102 persons have been affected by the disease so far. He said his outfit has received logistics from Accra to treat the disease but added more vaccines would be needed to adequately cover all the endemic areas. Dr Williams said the outbreak is being managed well in the region and assured residents “there is no cause for alarm; we are on top of the issue here”. Although enough measures have been put in place to stop the perennial recurrence of the disease, the Director of Health Service conceded they have not been successful. He was however delighted that their strong surveillance system is able to identify the CSM. He said a team of personnel are on the ground educating residents about the disease.