1 day ago
2 ARTICLE AD
At least 16 people have so far died with 150 others infected in the separate cholera outbreaks confirmed in parts of the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions of the country.
The outbreak which began in Ada East and West districts of the Greater Accra Region a month ago, has since been recorded in other areas including Accra Metro, Kpone Katamanso, Korle Klottey, Ashaiman and Ga South districts of the region.
While two cases had been confirmed in the Eastern Region, 47 have also been established in 12 districts of the Central Region.
The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, who disclosed this to The Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday said the trajectory of the cases however showed a downward trend with milder symptoms reported among infected persons in recent times.
“Though we are still receiving cases, they are less severe and, fewer patients are being admitted,” he said.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe emphasized the importance of preventive measures, including proper hand washing with soap under running water, addressing open defecation, and ensuring collaboration between the GHS, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Environment to contain further outbreaks while ensuring a healthier population.
“Cholera is a collective issue and by working together, we should see significant improvement than this,” he said.
Nonetheless, the director highlighted the availability of free cholera treatment in all health facilities across the country, urging the public not to delay in reporting promptly on the suspicion of cholera.
“What we want to achieve is that there would be zero deaths and a complete decline in cases and the public and all stakeholders must collaborate to ensure this,” he said.
Ghana’s highest outbreak of cholera was in 2017 when over 24,000 cases were recorded nationwide.
Between 2020 and 2023, 10 cases were recorded reflecting a decline in cholera cases due to good hygiene practices like hand washing occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
An acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera, cholera remains a global public health threat indicative of inequity and a lack of social development.
Symptoms of cholera include severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration, which can rapidly lead to death if not treated promptly.
Majority of people infected with cholera can be treated successfully through prompt administration of oral rehydration solution (ORS).
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
