Brong Ahafo Region records 93 cholera cases

Dr Kofi Issah, Brong Ahafo Regional Deputy Director of Public Health has announced that 93 suspected cases of cholera have so far been recorded in the Region.

He said they were recorded in 11 out of the 27 Municipal and Districts health centres, out of which 35 cases were confirmed and five people have died.

Speaking to newsmen in Sunyani, Dr Issah said the first case was recorded on August 1, and imported from Accra.

He said Atebubu-Amantin District recorded the highest cases of 44 out of which four people have died.

Dr Issah said the district recorded outbreaks in 2011 and 2012 in a particular community because of their source of drinking water. The assembly therefore is making efforts to solve the problem by treating their source of drinking water, examining food vendors and organizing clean up exercises.

He noted that the cases could be more because some of them were not severe and they engaged in self medication without attending any health facility.

Dr Issah cautioned the general public to be wary of the food and beverages consumed at public gatherings to prevent cholera outbreak, because most people contracted the disease at such gatherings.

He urged the general public to attend the nearest health facility when symptoms of the disease occur to avoid complications since treatment is free, and called on all and sundry to help in the fight against the disease.

Dr Issah advised drivers who convey cholera patients to any health facility to use Chlorine to clean their vehicles especially when the patient showed symptoms of the disease.

He said drivers and passengers could be at risk after contacts with the seats and other parts of the vehicle and spread them to their households.

Dr Issah advised family members taking care of cholera patients to be extra careful to ensure that fluids from patient did not contaminate their food, and asked the general public to practice hand washing after visiting the toilet and practice better environmental hygiene to help control the disease.