Cholera Cases Rise to 6,145 with 49 Deaths - Mintah Akandoh
Parliament House/Accra, Ghana - 18 Feb, 2025 - Ghana's cholera outbreak has spread to five regions, claiming 49 lives and infecting 6,145 people since its began in October 2024 according to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
The outbreak, which began in Ada West in the Greater Accra Region, has affected the Greater Accra, Central, Western, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions.
Speaking o the floor of Parliament on Tuesday Feb, 18, he revealed that the Central Region has been particularly hard-hit, with districts such as Agona West and Effutu reporting a significant number of cases. However, the noted that new cases are decreasing, and the situation is improving, with active cases now concentrated in the Central Region only.
As of February 16, the Central Region reported 28 active cases on admission, with Effutu, Cape Coast, and Agona West being the most affected areas. The government has implemented a robust response plan, including heightened surveillance, strengthened laboratory capacity, and environmental assessments to address risk factors.
Cholera treatment centers have been established, and public awareness campaigns are underway to educate communities. The strategic deployment of oral cholera vaccines in high-risk areas has also contributed to the decline in new cases. The minister attributed the positive shift to the relentless efforts of healthcare workers and partners.
“Mr. Speaker, I must put on record that the current cholera outbreak began over 5 months ago – in October 2024 in Ada West in the Greater Accra Region,”he stated.
“Since the outset in October 2024, it has unfortunately spread to other districts in Greater Accra and four other regions, namely Central, Western, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions.”
“As of 13th February 2025, we have recorded 6,145 cases, 719 confirmed cases, and unfortunately, forty-nine (49) deaths. In all, five regions have reported cases since the outbreak began. These are: Greater Accra, Central, Western, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions.”
“It is worth noting that the situation is improving with active cases now concentrated in the Central Region only,” he stated.
“This region has been particularly affected by the current outbreak, with a significant number of cases reported in recent weeks. The districts of Agona West and Effutu have been particularly hard-hit. In the past week alone, these two districts reported 133 cases, twenty-three (23) admissions, and unfortunately two (2) deaths.”
“Despite the worrying situation in the Central Region, I bring encouraging news. New cholera cases are decreasing, and the districts of Agona West and Effutu, which were initially hard-hit, are now showing a decline in new cases.”
“This positive shift is a testament to the relentless efforts of our healthcare workers and partners, who have been diligently implementing a robust response plan,” Akandoh emphasised.
“This plan includes heightened surveillance to swiftly identify and manage cases, strengthened laboratory capacity for accurate and timely diagnosis, and environmental assessments to pinpoint and address risk factors.
“We have also established cholera treatment centres and are conducting public awareness campaigns to educate communities. The strategic deployment of oral cholera vaccines in high-risk areas is further contributing to this positive trend'', he concluded.
Source: Lead News Online
