GHS Confirms 10 Cholera Cases In Ada East

A cholera epidemic in the Ada West District of the Greater Accra Region has been confirmed by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), with the first case being recorded on October 4.

Health officials launched an inquiry right after the first patient had vomiting and diarrhea during a funeral in Ada East.

Additional cases were identified in Ada East District after continuous investigation. By October 11, the GHS confirmed nine more cholera cases across both Ada West and Ada East Districts, raising concerns about the spread of the disease in the area.

In a statement, the GHS disclosed, “The Ghana Health Service confirmed a case of cholera in the Ada West District of Greater Accra region on 4th October 2024. The person presented to the health facility with vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain a couple of days after attending a funeral in Ada East.

“Subsequently, Ada East District also reported confirmed cases of cholera. As of 11th October, nine cholera cases had been confirmed in both districts (Ada West and Ada East).”

The GHS assured that it has swiftly initiated some response activities including contact identification, tracing and follow-up, and formation of committees at different levels.

The statement added, “Following the notification, the public health response activities undertaken include: • Public Health Emergency Management Committees (PHEMCs) at all levels (National, Regional and Districts) have been activated.

“A joint multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Rapid Response Team (PHERRT) from the national, regional and district levels, as well as representatives from the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Ghana Education Service (GES), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and Environmental Health Units from the two affected districts has been activated.”

The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with the relevant sectors and partners, assured the public of its continuous effort to promptly detect and respond early to public health emergencies.