Cholera Outbreak Hits Accra-21 Infected

THE OUT Patient Department of Ridge Regional Hospital has recorded 21 fresh cholera cases since October 27, a day after massive flooding hit Accra, the nation's capital.

The affected persons, 10 females and 11 males were reported to be residents of Odawna and Adabraka, two of the worst hit areas during the flood.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE yesterday, Dr. Emmanuel Oduro-Mensah, Family Physician Specialist at the hospital noted that most of the patients aged between 20 and 60 years claimed they had accidentally swallowed some of the flood water while struggling to escape.

'Some also reported experiencing diahorrea and vomiting after eating foods they bought from the roadside in their neighborhoods because they have nowhere to cook,' he added.

He said cholera outbreaks in Ghana were as a result of the country's failure to deal with sanitation issues.

According to Dr. Oduro-Mensah, tackling issues relating to water, sanitation and hygiene should be a way of life and expressed worry that the recent floods may give rise to more cholera cases if care was not taken.

He indicated that the rate may increase adding that there was the need to intensify efforts to address the problem.

He lamented that the hygiene situation in Accra was poor since people defecate indiscriminately in gutters.

Dr. Oduro-Mensah advised residents living in the worst affected areas during the flood to properly cook their food and also ensure that waste and sewage were properly managed and disposed off quickly.

Eleven deaths were recorded by National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) following the floods that hit parts of Accra on Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

Three of the deaths were recorded at Adabraka Sahara, two each at Amanfrom on the Kasoa road, Anyaa Pala Town, Achimota and one each at Avenor and Insakanaa in Ga South District.

A cholera epidemic which hit Ghana recently killed 60 people and infected almost 4,000.

The outbreak which started in the central region spread to four regions, with Accra recording the highest cholera cases.

By Henrietta Abayie