Nkoranza North and South records 170 cases of Buruli Ulcer this year

Nkoranza (B/A) Dec. 19, GNA - The Nkoranza North and South Districts of Brong-Ahafo have recorded 170 cases of Buruli Ulcer this year. The endemic communities are Kwafre, Nyinase, Pienyina, Asuosu, Manso, Dwenewoho, Amanda, Meta, Makyinmabre, Nsugum, Asuano and Donoase. Mr Bernard Acheampong, Nkoranza South District disease control officer disclosed this at a workshop for more than 200 selected basic school teachers at Nkoranza.

The workshop, which was organised by the Medical Assistance Programmes (MAP) International, Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organisation based in the United States of America aims at educating participants on the detection and symptoms of the buruli ulcer. Mr Acheampong explained that even though Buruli Ulcer could affect any one, children often fall prey to the disease, which affects any part of the body.

"Buruli Ulcer of the legs is a complicated case, which required long hospitalization and expensive management", he said and stressed the need for parents and teachers to report cases of that nature for early diagnosis and treatment.

Mr Acheampong ruled out the wrong perception that Buluri Ulcer was caused by witchcraft explaining that that it was rather caused by a germ and spread through contact with affected people. Mr Raymond Yaw Gockah, Country Programme Manager of MAP said it was importance for teachers to advice the general public to report unusual signs of skin diseases to the nearby health facility for medical attention.

He said MAP was collaborating with the Ghana Education Service to detect and control the spread of the disease in the area.