Cholera outbreak: 27 useless, 252 contaminated in latest surge
A cholera outbreak in Ghana has resulted in 27 deaths and 252 confirmed infections over the previous two and a half months.
As of December tenth, the outbreak has unfold throughout 36 districts within the Greater Accra, Central, Western, and Eastern areas, with 3,292 suspected circumstances reported.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recorded 190 cholera-related admissions within the Western Region, whereas 5 persons are presently hospitalized within the Central Region.
Dr. Dennis Laryea, Head of Disease Surveillance at GHS, confirmed 70 circumstances in Greater Accra, 92 within the Central Region, 88 within the Western Region, and 25 within the Eastern Region.
He famous that whereas most circumstances weren’t extreme, fatalities had occurred because of delays in looking for medical care.
“Deaths are occurring, because most of the patients who had cholera tried to self-medicate, some report to the hospital three days after the cholera infection,” he mentioned.
Dr. Laryea attributed the cholera outbreak to a number of components, together with the shortage of unpolluted water in some affected districts, open defecation, and poor hand hygiene.
He urged the general public to usually wash fingers with cleaning soap beneath operating water, or use hand sanitizers if clear water is unavailable.
A coordinated response, together with public well being interventions, surveillance, and vaccination campaigns, is underway in affected areas, significantly within the Western Region.
The Ministry of Health has activated regional and district emergency committees, and speedy response groups have been deployed to comprise the outbreak.
Although Ghana didn’t expertise a cholera outbreak between 2017 and 2023, a couple of indigenous circumstances had been reported.
Dr. Laryea mentioned that the handwashing practices adopted through the COVID-19 pandemic performed an efficient function in controlling infectious illnesses.
Cholera, brought on by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is a significant public well being risk, significantly in areas with poor sanitation.
Symptoms embody diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, belly cramps, fever, and fatigue.
In extreme circumstances, cholera can result in demise inside hours with out therapy.
Many folks contaminated with cholera might not present signs however can nonetheless unfold the micro organism by their faeces.
Cholera is carefully linked to insufficient entry to scrub water and sanitation, making peri-urban slums and displacement camps high-risk areas.
Early detection and therapy are very important to forestall severe problems and demise.
The Ghana Health Service has suggested the general public to drink handled water, eat correctly cooked meals, keep away from shut contact with contaminated people, preserve good hygiene practices, guarantee correct disposal of feces, and search medical consideration instantly if experiencing extreme diarrhea and vomiting.
Source: GNA
