The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is stepping up vaccination efforts and public sensitisation after a deadly cholera outbreak has claimed 40 lives and infected over 6,000 people nationwide.
The outbreak, which began in Ada East, Greater Accra, in October 2024, has spread rapidly to coastal regions and parts of the Eastern and Ashanti regions, raising concerns over sanitation and public health preparedness.
Delays in Seeking Medical Care Worsen Fatalities
Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, Head of Prevention and Control at the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), revealed that many victims died because they failed to seek medical attention in time.
“Many of the victims died before they could get to the hospital. They were waiting, thinking the diarrhoea would stop on its own,” he told JoyNews.
The outbreak initially surged in Ada East and spread to Ada West before resurfacing in Ada East. Cases were later detected in parts of Greater Accra, including Ga South, Kasoa, and Katamanso.
Christmas Surge Worsens Crisis
GHS officials reported that the outbreak intensified over the festive season, particularly in the Western Region, where cases spiked in Takoradi and the Shama District.
“Around Christmas, we saw a significant increase in cases in the Western Region. The confirmed number of cases has now surpassed 6,000,” Dr. Amponsa-Achiano stated.
He clarified that while not all deaths have been officially confirmed as cholera-related, any outbreak with widespread diarrhoea cases is classified under cholera surveillance.
GHS Prioritises Vaccination and Sanitation Enforcement
In response, GHS has launched a vaccination campaign, targeting high-risk areas like Ada West and Awutu Senya East in the Central Region.
However, Dr. Amponsa-Achiano stressed that vaccination alone is not enough.
“The primary issue is water and sanitation. The vaccine is just one tool, but we need to tackle the root causes of cholera,” he noted.
GHS is working with local assemblies to improve sanitation enforcement and ensure access to clean water.
Efforts include social mobilisation, health education, and community engagement to curb the spread of the disease.
As authorities ramp up their response, they urge the public to maintain strict hygiene practices, seek early treatment for symptoms, and support sanitation efforts to prevent further spread of the outbreak.
