The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has declared a cholera outbreak in the country, following the confirmation of nine cases.
According to a statement from GHS, the first case was identified in the Ada West District of the Greater Accra region on October 4, 2024. The individual sought treatment for vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain after attending a funeral in Ada East.
Subsequently, the Ada East District also reported confirmed cholera cases. By October 11, a total of nine cases had been confirmed across both districts (Ada West and Ada East).
In response, several public health measures have been initiated, including:
- Activation of Public Health Emergency Management Committees (PHEMCs) at the national, regional, and district levels.
- Formation of a joint multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Rapid Response Team (PHERRT), comprising representatives from GHS, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Ghana Education Service (GES), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and Environmental Health Units from the affected districts.
- Outbreak investigation and environmental assessments are ongoing.
- Health facilities across the country have been placed on alert.
- Contact tracing, identification, and follow-up are being carried out.
- Healthcare workers in the affected areas have been briefed on cholera case definitions, sample management, and treatment protocols.
- Daily active case searches are being conducted in the community.
- Strict infection prevention and control measures have been enforced in all health facilities.
- A cholera oral rehydration center has been established for patients with mild symptoms.
The public is advised to maintain good personal hygiene practices to protect against the disease.
