Dr sounds CSM outbreak alarm

The Upper East Regional Health Directorate has expressed fears of an outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis during the approaching hot season as victims of the recent flood disaster are living in crowded conditions.

The Acting Regional Director of Health Service, Dr. Agana Nsire says with the crowding posed by the last floods, it is hoped assistance will be forthcoming for Internally Displaced Persons to rebuild their houses quickly before the hot season. Dr. Nsire said this at a day's Advocacy Seminar on Responding to the sexual and Reproductive Health needs of Disaster victims in Bolgatanga.

Dr. Nsire noted that the floods pose many health problems including, malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and chest infections, therefore it would be prudent to take measures to prevent such hazards. He recalled that in the Bulisa District where the floods hit hardest, 25,000 cases of malaria were recorded in 2007 as against 14,000 in 2006. For the months of the floods, 11.000 people came down with malaria while 3,000 persons suffered from the disease during the same period in 2006.