Cholera outbreak in Ghana kills 16 people in one month

A total of 16 people have died, and 115 others have been infected in the ongoing cholera outbreak in various parts of the country within the past month.

Dr. Dennis Laryea, Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, told the Ghana News Agency that 1,350 suspected cholera cases have been reported in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions.

He noted that cholera infections have been recorded in about 12 districts across these four regions, with a Case Fatality Rate of 1.2 percent.

Dr. Laryea explained that while most infections were not severe, fatalities occurred due to delays in reporting cases to health facilities.

“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 said.

Dr. Laryea stated that the lack of clean water in some of the affected districts, the practice of open defecation, and poor hand hygiene were significant contributors to the ongoing cholera outbreak.

He urged the public to frequently wash their hands with soap and water, and use hand sanitizers where clean water was not available.

Between 2017 and 2023, Ghana did not experience a major cholera outbreak, though a few indigenous cases were reported.

Dr. Laryea pointed out that regular handwashing with soap during the COVID-19 outbreak was an effective measure in controlling infectious diseases.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera remains a global public health threat, reflecting inequities and a lack of social development.

Symptoms of cholera include frequent diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, abdominal cramps, fever, headache, fatigue, dry mouth, and reduced urine output. If left untreated, severe cases can be fatal within hours.

Most individuals infected with cholera may not exhibit symptoms, but the bacteria can still be present in their feces for one to ten days, potentially contaminating the environment and infecting others.

A minority of patients develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration, which can lead to death if not treated promptly.

Cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, with at-risk areas including peri-urban slums and camps for internally displaced persons.

Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent complications and reduce mortality.

The Ghana Health Service has advised the public to drink only treated water, eat properly cooked food, avoid close contact with infected individuals, practice good hygiene (including washing hands with soap under running water), ensure proper disposal of feces, and seek medical attention at the nearest health facility if experiencing severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Source: GNA

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