Uncommon mixed outbreak of pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis in Jirapa District, Upper West Region, Ghana, 2016

摘要

Meningitis is characterized by symptoms ranging from fever, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, muscle pains to vomiting and diarrhoea. Long term effects (sequelae) of meningitis include loss of hearing, brain damage, learning disability and seizures among others.~(5) Bacterial meningitis is caused mainly by Neisseria and Streptococcus species. However other bacteria can also cause the disease and causative agents vary with age and immune status. Haemophilus influenzae type b, Group B streptococci and E. coli are among agents of meningitis especially among children. Echoviruses, coxsackie viruses and fungi such as Cryptococcus are also known to cause meningitis.~(6)The outbreak investigation was conducted in Jirapa District of the Upper West Region of Ghana between 23~(rd) February and 20~(th) April 2016. The region is located in northwest Ghana (longitude 1 25 W and 2 45 and latitudes 9 30 N and 11N) and falls within the African meningitis belt. The District just like the rest of the region experiences a short raining season from June to October, followed by a long hot dry season from November to May. Maximum temperature is 22C in the raining season and up to 40C in the dry season. Humidity is typically between 70% to 90% in the raining season but can fall as low as 20% in the dry season~(14) which make the district prone to meningitis outbreaks. The projected population of the District is approximately 98,700~(12). The district shares boundaries with Lawra, Lambusie-Karni, Nadowli-Kaleo, Sisala East and Dafiama-Busie-Issah Districts.