The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has urged the public to re-adopt COVID-19 hygiene practices to help curb the current cholera outbreak.
Deputy Director of Disease Surveillance at the GHS, Dr. Dennis Laryea, stressed the preventable nature of cholera-related fatalities, emphasizing that early medical intervention can save lives.
“Our main concern is the mortality rate,” Dr. Laryea explained.
“Many patients were brought in already deceased, indicating delays in seeking care. Of the cases we have seen, about seven or eight patients arrived too late for us to intervene effectively. Many others succumbed within 12 to 24 hours of admission, leaving little time for treatment. We urge anyone experiencing symptoms such as vomiting or watery diarrhea to seek medical help immediately to prevent complications like kidney failure due to severe dehydration.”
Dr. Laryea also emphasized that sanitation and hygiene practices are critical in preventing cholera.
“The conditions driving the outbreak remain—personal hygiene and food handling practices need improvement. People must wash their hands with soap and clean water before eating and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables. Improper waste management continues to pose a high risk for disease spread,” he said.
The cholera outbreak has led to 16 deaths and 116 confirmed cases across the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western regions, heightening concern among health officials and communities alike.
Source: Adomonline
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