Cholera outbreak in Ada West and East districts: GHS confirms cases

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed a number of cholera cases, specifically in the Ada West and Ada East districts of the Greater Accra Region.

In a press release on 14th October, the Service revealed that it identified the first case on October 4, 2024, at a health facility in the district, where a patient presented symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain after attending a funeral in Ada East a few days prior.

Following this, confirmed cases of cholera were also reported in the Ada East District.

“As of October 11, 2024, nine confirmed cholera cases have been reported across both districts,” the statement noted.

In response, the GHS said it has implemented a comprehensive public health management plan to contain and control the outbreak. Key measures include:

• Activation of Public Health Emergency Management Committees (PHEMCs) at the national, regional, and district levels.
• Deployment of a multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Rapid Response Team (PHERRT), comprising officials from the national, regional, and district levels, alongside representatives from the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ghana Education Service (GES), National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and Environmental Health Units from the affected districts.
• Ongoing outbreak investigations and environmental assessments to determine the source and extent of the outbreak.
• Issuance of a nationwide ‘Alert’ to all health facilities.
• Contact tracking and follow-up for identified cases.
• Sensitisation of healthcare workers in the affected areas on cholera case definitions, sample management, and case treatment.
• Daily active case searches within communities.
• Enforcement of strict infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in all health facilities.
• Establishment of a cholera oral rehydration centre for patients with mild symptoms.
• Public education campaigns are underway, emphasising safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, using mobile vans, radio broadcasts, and other platforms in the affected districts.
• Monitoring and managing rumours, misinformation, and disinformation.
• Assessment and provision of potable water and environmental sanitation in the affected areas, with water distribution ongoing.
• Water sampling for microbiological analysis in all affected districts.

Ghana Health Service emphasised that it is in partnership with the Ministry of Health and relevant stakeholders towards maintaining vigilance and ensuring a swift and effective response to public health emergencies.