All you need to know;
From the initial case which was identified in late October 2024, the outbreak of cholera across the nation has resulted in the death of 14 persons in the Central Region. Currently, 180 cases have been confirmed out of a total of 1,929 suspected cases, with 28 people currently undergoing treatment in various healthcare facilities.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Cape Coast, Enoch Koomson, Disease Surveillance Officer at the Regional Health Directorate (RHD), revealed that 20 of the region’s 22 districts have reported cholera cases. Health officials have monitored over 4,000 contacts of infected individuals, identifying 17 cases needing treatment.
The only districts that didn’t report any cases are Upper Denkyira East and Assin South. Awutu Senya Municipality has since recorded the highest number of suspected cases (565), followed by Agona West (283) and Effutu (259). Upper Denkyira West has recorded just one case, which is believed to have originated in the Western Region.
Background
The outbreak of cholera in the nation late last year has been a major problem in the health service. Central Region has over the past few months recorded its first cases and has its roots in the disease’s nature, which is a serious gastrointestinal illness resulting from consuming food or water tainted with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. Cholera spreads swiftly in environments where sanitation is lacking, clean water is scarce, and food is mishandled. Without immediate treatment, the illness can lead to severe dehydration and death.
Ghana, over the years, has seen multiple cholera outbreaks, notably in 2014 and 2018, predominantly affecting urban and densely populated regions. The current outbreak, which started in late October 2024, is part of a broader public health crisis, with numerous regions reporting infections.
The Central Region, a coastal area characterized by both urban and rural communities, is especially at risk due to difficulties related to sanitation and waste management. Factors that contributed to the massive spread of this outbreak are as a result of polluted water supplies, improper waste disposal methods, and insufficient hygiene practices. The onset of the rainy season exacerbates the risk by causing floods that can disperse contaminated water.
In response to the situation, health officials have escalated their surveillance efforts, implemented contact tracing, and launched public awareness initiatives. They are also taking measures to guarantee clean water access, encourage handwashing, and oversee food vendors to curb the spread of the disease. Nevertheless, as case numbers continue to rise, authorities are urging individuals exhibiting symptoms to seek immediate medical help, as cholera treatment is provided free of charge at government healthcare facilities.
Story by: Effie Enam Agyemang