Four male adults in Terego county , have died after displaying life-threatening symptoms suspected to be pneumococcal Meningitis.
The deceased who were residents Ojia and Ediofe in Terego County, Arua district presented symptoms that include among others severe headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and convulsions between December 25 and January 2020.
The Arua District Health Officer Dr. Paul Drileba says concerned area residents run to health workers at Omugo HC IV after getting suspicious when the third and fourth persons passed on mysteriously.
The health workers examined the bodies and later took some samples for testing at Arua Central Laboratory.
According to Dr. Drileba, the laboratory results are not yet out although he believes that the four people succumbed to pneumococcal meningitis.
He adds that although pneumococcal meningitis is not contagious but requires rapid hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics.
He also says pneumococcal meningitis is not contagious but requires immediate hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics.
Pneumococcal meningitis disease is a life-threatening infection that leads to swelling of the layers around the brain and spinal cord.
The infection starts after bacteria enter the bloodstream infecting the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord against physical damage.
The bacteria release poisons, causing inflammation and swelling in the brain tissue, resulting in severe headache, stiff neck and dislike of bright lights and convulsions.
