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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has warned citizens of a possible cholera outbreak in the country, specifically in the Greater Accra region with the beginning of the rainy season.

Medical Doctor and a Public Health Physician with specialization in Applied Epidemiology and Disease Control, Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe in view of this warning in an interview with UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ Health segment programme, confirmed Cholera has for the past two [2] years not been experienced in Ghana but can start any time soon due to the bad sanitation conditions in the country, especially with open defecation in most areas of the country.

He asserted that individuals must be very mindful to ask themselves the question of where this food is coming from anytime they sit to eat or drink.

“Ask yourself questions of where the food or water you are drinking/eating is coming from,” the Head of the Department of Disease Surveillance Department ( DSD), Ghana Health Service emphasized.

The Disease Control expert educated that we minimize the rate at which we buy food from the street and also have it in mind that the moment we start experiencing the symptoms of cholera, ORS or the many means we know already can be used as first aid as the contaminated person is rushed to the hospital.

Cholera

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated.

It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholera.

The disease is most common in places with poor sanitation, crowding, war, and famine. Common locations include parts of Africa, south Asia, and Latin America.

If you are traveling to one of those areas, knowing the following cholera facts can help protect you and your family.