Cholera Outbreak in Ghana: 40 Dead, Nearly 400 Infected
A cholera outbreak that began in October 2024 has resulted in 40 deaths and infected 398 people across five regions in Ghana, according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS). Currently, 41 patients are receiving treatment in various hospitals, while the outbreak has spread to La Dadekotopon in the Greater Accra Region.
Dr. Dennis Laryea, Head of Disease Surveillance at GHS, reported 4,850 suspected cases across Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, and Western regions. From December 26 to 31, 96 new suspected cases and 29 confirmed cases were recorded, with an overall case fatality rate of 1.2%.
A vaccination campaign in four hotspot districts in the Western Region has seen 596,205 people vaccinated. Despite these efforts, delays in seeking medical care and poor hygiene practices, including open defecation and inadequate access to clean water, are exacerbating the outbreak.
Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and abdominal cramps, and severe cases can be fatal within hours if untreated. The GHS emphasizes hygiene practices like frequent handwashing, safe food handling, and drinking treated water to prevent transmission.
Ghana had been free from major cholera outbreaks between 2017 and 2023, largely due to improved hygiene awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health officials now urge citizens to report symptoms promptly, as early detection and treatment are critical to reducing mortality and halting the spread.