The Western Region has so far recorded 15 deaths from the cholera outbreak with Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality as the epicentres.
The Deputy Regional Director in charge of Public Health, Dr Gifty Amugi disclosed this on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Monday.
According to her, over 1,000 people have reported to various health facilities with symptoms, including diarrhoea and vomiting.
However, 90 of these reported cases have been confirmed as cholera.
“The outbreak started in the 4th of November and we were committed to curb it but it heightened from the beginning of December. We so far have over 1,000 reported cases but 90 have been confirmed with 15 deaths reported,” she detailed.
Expressing concerns over the rising cases, Dr Amugi bemoaned people have disregarded safety measures.
“We’re appealing to everybody to take the basic precautions. It’s so important if we don’t do that we’re going to lose more people, so please personal hygiene is very important, we must wash our hands, and the food we eat must be warm. As soon as anybody gets these symptoms, he/she must report to the nearest health facility,” she advised.
Dr Amugi further said that cholera treatment is free and has all the needed logistics to care for affected ones.
She therefore urged all residents to report suspected cases immediately to health facilities, adding vaccination exercise has also began in the region.
“We started on Sunday and will run till Thursday, so we will urge all to take advantage of the exercise,” she noted.
Alongside the Western Regional Coordinating Council’s (WRCC) the ban on the sale of vegetables by food vendors to curb the spread, Dr Amugi said the Health Directorate has intensified its awareness campaign and preventive measures.
SOURCE: Adomonline.com
