Ten people have died, while 23 others are receiving treatment in the Northern Region following an outbreak of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM). The Surveillance Unit of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the region attributed the outbreak to the extreme heat that had hit the three northern regions. The unit said the East Mamprusi District had so far recorded the highest number of 15 cases with seven deaths. The Bunkpurugu-Yunyo District followed with three cases and two deaths, while the West Mamprusi and Saboba-Chereponi districts recorded single cases each, with the former also recording a single death. The Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Gushegu districts also recorded two cases and a single case, respectively. As of now, there has not been any reported incident of the disease in the Tamale metropolis and the other districts of the region. The Northern Regional Surveillance Officer, Mr Edward Abu Accrachie, explained that all the cases and deaths were recorded between January and the first week of March this year. "Even though the figures are quite alarming, we will not describe the situation as a crisis, since the indicators do not reflect that," he said. Mr Abu, however, stated that death from the disease could have been avoided if the patients had reported earlier for medical attention. He, therefore, called on all agencies and civil society to help in sending out information to the people, especially those in the CSM-prone areas, to report early to the health centres and also to avoid practices which exposed them to the disease. CSM is an endemic disease, characterised by inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. This results in severe headache, tenderness of the back of the neck and the eventual paralysis of the eye muscles. Though it is not contagious, it can kill in a short while. The disease is prevalent not only in Ghana but also throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Over the years, the GHS has consistently vaccinated citizens periodically when the intense weather condition is approaching. This has contributed significantly to reducing the number of reported cases of the disease. Source: Daily Graphic/Ike