A cholera outbreak has claimed 16 lives and infected 115 people across several regions of Ghana within the past month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Dennis Laryea, Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, confirmed to the Ghana News Agency that 1,350 suspected cholera cases have been reported in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions. The outbreak has spread across 12 districts in these areas, with a case fatality rate of 1.2 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While most cholera cases have not been severe, fatalities have occurred due to delayed treatment. Dr. Laryea explained that many victims tried to self-medicate and only sought medical help several days after infection, contributing to the deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He attributed the outbreak to factors such as poor sanitation, including open defecation and lack of access to clean water, as well as inadequate hand hygiene. Dr. Laryea emphasized the importance of regular handwashing with soap and water, or using hand sanitizers when clean water is unavailable, to prevent further spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Ghana did not experience a major cholera outbreak between 2017 and 2023, the country is currently facing this resurgence. Dr. Laryea noted that the practice of handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic had proven effective in controlling infectious diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cholera is a potentially deadly diarrheal disease caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, typically spread through contaminated water or food. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, abdominal cramps, fever, and fatigue. In severe cases, cholera can lead to death within hours if left untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Laryea advised the public to drink only treated water, consume properly cooked food, avoid close contact with infected individuals, ensure proper waste disposal, and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing severe symptoms of cholera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cholera transmission is linked to inadequate water and sanitation, with high-risk areas including peri-urban slums and displacement camps. Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing severe complications and reducing mortality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A cholera outbreak has claimed 16 lives and infected 115 people across several regions of Ghana within the past month. Dr. Dennis Laryea, Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, confirmed to the Ghana News Agency that 1,350 suspected cholera cases have been reported in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,394],"tags":[175],"class_list":["post-1235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","category-health","tag-cholera"],"yoast_head":"\n