Burial rites for five persons who died from a cholera outbreak in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region are creating tension. Residents, mostly fishermen, are afraid they will be infected with the bacteria if the corpses were exposed. Asempa FM’s Ohene Gyan reported the residents are resisting plans to have the corpses displayed in public in line with the customs and traditions of the people. District Chief Executive of the area, Joseph Dorfoyena said he will inform the chief of the town to summon the bereaved family. According to him, the corpses must be buried without delay and without any vigil or the bodies being laid in state. He was surprised the death toll had increased to five, having been informed earlier that only two people had died from the outbreak. The town, Adjoa, has been badly hit by the cholera outbreak with 28 cases so far, Gyan confirmed. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given. Vomiting also occurs in most patients, according to the World Health Organisation.