Research by Doctors reveals Pig meat causing deafness & meningitis in people – Details
Meningitis Caused by Streptococcus suis: A Neglected Emerging ZoonoticPathogen in Ghana.
Research conducted by a team of Doctors:
Aniemena-George Chidi, Yaw Adu Boakye, Obed Ofori Nyarko, Solomon Gyaaba, Saabea Owusu Konadu and Gilda Opoku.
We present the case of a forty six years old male who presented with sudden bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, headache, fever, chills and nausea.
He is an alcoholic who handles fresh pork and consumes large amounts of pork on daily basis which puts him at high risk for Streptococcus suis infection. A culture of his cerebrospinal fluid yielded Streptococcus suis.
Streptococcus suis infection is a neglected zoonotic pathogen that causes morbidity and mortality in humans.
Pigs serve as the natural host for Streptococcus suis. After 7 days of treatment with intravenous Rocephin and 14 days of oral Erythromycin as per sensitivity patterns, all other signs and symptoms resolved, except for the bilateral hearing loss and mild ataxic gait.
Human infection by Streptococcus suis is currently underreported and underdiagnosed in several countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of awareness by the general public and physicians.
We report the first reported case of meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis in Ghana.
The doctors advised and thus encouraged adequate washing of the hands well. and cooking of the meat properly
They strongly stressed that owners of Pig farms should involve the veterinary services to care for their stock and avoid self-medication.
As internationally acclaimed and published, first reported case in Ghana has been recorded.
The Ministry of Health is therefore reminded to pay core attention to prevent the health risks and outbreaks in Ghana.
