GHS Intensifies Vaccination as Cholera Outbreak Spreads
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is ramping up vaccination and public sensitization efforts as a cholera outbreak sweeps through the country, claiming 40 lives and infecting over 6,000 people since October 2024.
The outbreak, which began in Ada East, Greater Accra, has now spread to coastal areas and parts of the Eastern and Ashanti Regions.
Dr. Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, Head of Prevention and Control at the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), revealed that many victims died before reaching medical facilities because they underestimated the severity of their symptoms.
“Many of the victims died before they could get to the hospital. They were waiting, thinking the diarrhoea would stop on its own,” he said.
The outbreak escalated during the Christmas period, particularly in Shama District and Takoradi in the Western Region, where cases surged significantly.
To contain the spread, GHS has intensified vaccination campaigns, particularly in cholera-prone areas like Awutu Senya East in the Central Region.
However, Dr. Amponsa-Achiano stressed that long-term prevention requires improving water and sanitation infrastructure rather than relying solely on vaccines.
“We are working with local assemblies to enforce sanitation laws and ensure access to clean water. The vaccine is just one tool in our response,” he explained.
As Ghana battles the outbreak, health officials urge the public to prioritize hygiene, proper sanitation, and early medical intervention to prevent further fatalities.
Source: myjoyonline