The Agona West Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana is currently facing a cholera outbreak, with a total of 214 suspected cases and 11 confirmed cases reported by the Ghana Health Service (GHS). This has raised concerns among health authorities who are working tirelessly to contain the spread of the disease.
Nationally, Ghana is grappling with a cholera epidemic, with 359 confirmed cases and 37 deaths reported as of 26 December 2024. The southern regions, including Western, Eastern, Central, and Greater Accra, are the most affected areas. In Agona West, one fatality has been recorded at the Swedru Government Hospital as of 2 January.
The Municipal Health Director, Bertha Arthur, has issued a call for residents to remain vigilant and to prioritize hygiene practices to prevent further outbreaks.
“We have identified 214 suspected cases, with symptoms including dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting. Out of these, 11 cases have been confirmed to be cholera after laboratory testing,” explained Ms. Arthur.
She stressed the importance of a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to effectively manage the outbreak and urged the public to seek medical attention promptly if they experience any symptoms of cholera.
In response to the epidemic, the GHS has deployed rapid response teams to affected areas and initiated robust contact tracing efforts. So far, 9,667 contacts have been identified, with 8,667 completing the mandatory five-day follow-up period.
Furthermore, the GHS has successfully completed Phase 2 of the sub-national Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign between 15 and 18 December 2024. This campaign targeted hotspots in the Western Region and vaccinated 596,205 individuals, achieving a coverage rate of 92.9%. Intensified testing of food vendors and water sources in affected districts is also underway to prevent further spread of the disease.
The situation remains critical, but with concerted efforts from health authorities, stakeholders, and the public, it is hoped that the cholera outbreak in the Agona West Municipality and across Ghana can be effectively managed and contained.
