Togolese authorities confirmed over the weekend a resurgence of new meningitis cases in the Dankpen district, located in the Kara region in the northern part of the country, which borders Ghana's Northern regional capital, Yendi.

According to the Minister of Health, Tchin Darre, the disease has also spread to the Savannah region, which is also in the north.

Reliable sources within the Ministry of Health have indicated that the current outbreak is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is unusual for Togo.

In response to the situation, Togolese health authorities have announced a series of actions to contain the highly contagious disease. Measures have been implemented to ensure that patients receive proper care as early as possible at the nearest health centres in both affected regions.

Awareness campaigns are also being conducted in these communities to educate the public about the symptoms of meningitis and the importance of seeking medical help quickly. Additionally, health authorities are conducting investigations in the affected areas to detect new cases and take swift action to prevent further spread.

It should be recalled that Togolese health authorities declared a meningitis outbreak in the Oti Sud district in the Savannah region on February 15, 2024.

Between December 19 2022 and April 2, 2023, a total of 141 suspected meningitis cases, with 12 deaths, were reported in Oti Sud, corresponding to an attack rate of 112 per 100,000 people.

Meningitis is a devastating disease with a high fatality rate and serious long-term health complications. It remains a significant global public health challenge in many African countries.

In 2014, Togo introduced the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which is currently administered in three doses at the first, second, and third months of life. Despite being part of the African meningitis belt initiative, Togo continues to experience frequent meningitis outbreaks.

A call on Ghana to act

According to Mr Alain Johnson, a Togolese public health expert, Ghanaian health authorities must also be vigilant, as the affected Dankpen district is close to Ghana's Yendi.

"The Dankpen district is located northwest of the Kara region, along the Togo-Ghana border. I believe Ghanaian authorities must also be on alert due to the increasing mobility of populations. Dankpen shares a border with Yendi in Ghana," he explained.

However, he expressed confidence that Togolese health authorities would succeed in containing the resurgence of meningitis cases in the Kara region.

Meningitis spreads through contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. Symptoms include vomiting, a stiff neck, sudden fever, severe headaches, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures.