Meningococcal meningitis in northern Ghana: epidemiology and control measures.
Hospitalized meningococcal meningitis patients in northeastern Ghana during 1972-1973 were studied to provide baseline information about case clustering and age-specific attack rates to guide meningitis control programs. In 1973, group A meningococci were prevalent and 7% of isolates were sulfadiazine-resistant. In contrast to the age distribution of meningococcal meningitis in North and South America, peak attack rates occurred in 10- to 14-year-old Ghanaians. A mass immunization campaign using group A polysaccharide vaccine in heavily populated areas of the Bawku and Nalgerigu districts is recommended.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D014611:Vaccination