Analysis of meningitis outbreak data, Jaman North District, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana.

BACKGROUND

Descriptive analysis of meningitis outbreak in Jaman North districts of Brong Ahafo Region.

DESIGN

Descriptive secondary data analysis.

DATA SOURCE: records of meningitis cases were extracted from case-based forms and line list.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The source and pattern of outbreak.

RESULTS

A total of 367 suspected cases with 44 confirmed were recorded from Jaman North during the period of January to March 2016. The mean age of those affected was 58 ± 13 years. The case fatality rate was 0.82% and the proportion of males to females was 1:1.3 (160/207). The age group most affected was 15-29 years (54.7%) and the least was 45-49 years (3.0%). Streptococcus pneumoniae formed 77.3% of confirmed cases whilst Neisseria meningitides was 20.5%. Cases with Neisseria meningitides came from a border town in La Cote d'Ivoire.

CONCLUSION

A protracted propagated meningitis outbreak occurred; and the predominant bacteria strain among confirmed cases was Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cases were mainly females and the most vulnerable group were people aged 15-29 years.

FUNDING: This work was funded by the authors. Author BKD was sponsored under CDC (Frontline FETP)-CDC CoAg 6NU2GGH001876.