Cholera causes havoc in W/R, 16 casualties recorded

Cholera continues to cause havoc in the Western Region with the reported death of 16 people.

According to the latest situational report, newly reported cases as of last Tuesday stood at 123, with the cumulative reported cases numbering 1,741.

Four Municipal and Metropolitan areas have been identified as red zones due to the sharp and continuous increase in the number of cases in those areas. 

They are Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Effia Kwasimintsim Municipality, Shama District and Ahanta West Municipality.

Currently situation

Currently, there are 182 cases on admission, out of which 25 of them are said to be severe, 55 as moderate and 102 are mild.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has attributed the source of infection to unsanitary sites for food preparation and sales by food vendors.

It also identified indiscriminate refuse dumping, poor waste management and open defecation as part of the challenges.

As part of measures to stop the spread, the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC) has placed a ban on the sale of vegetables by food vendors.
 

Interview

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Regional Environmental Health Analyst, Oliver Cromwell, said the situation was still serious and volatile in the affected districts, metropolis and municipalities, and still entering other unaffected districts, the latest affected being Wassa Amenfi West and Jomoro districts.

He advised the populace to engage in regular washing of hands, fruits and vegetables before eating. “As much as you can, I will advise people to avoid cold food and ensure that their foods are served hot.”

Mr Cromwell said it was important that at this critical moment, the team was working to curb the situation and that the public should adhere to protocol and drink water from safe sources – saying, “If you are not sure of the source of water boil before drinking.”

On December 10, 2024, the WRCC announced measures to address the escalating cholera outbreak, which had reached critical levels in the region.

As of December 7, 2024, 789 suspected cases and eight deaths had been recorded across various health facilities in the region. From there, daily reported cases exceed 60, with Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan and Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal areas accounting for 95 per cent of infections.

The WRCC said environmental surveillance investigations reveal that 96 per cent of infections are linked to food vendors, particularly, through the sale of contaminated vegetables such as salads, leaves and green peppers. These findings have prompted immediate action to protect public health.

The discovery after the environmental surveillance investigations led to the immediate ban on the sale of vegetables by food vendors in the region.

The WRCC warned that offenders would face prosecution in accordance with the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851. The ban will remain in place until public health officials confirm the safety of such practices.

The WRCC advised the general public to avoid purchasing or consuming vegetables from food vendors for their safety. Meanwhile, vegetables purchased for domestic use should be treated properly before use.