The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed cases of cholera in the Ada West and Ada East Districts of the Greater Accra Region, raising public health concerns.

The first confirmed case was reported on October 4, 2024, when a patient presented at a health facility with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The individual had recently attended a funeral in Ada East.

Since then, a total of nine cholera cases have been confirmed in both Ada West and Ada East as of October 11, 2024.

In response to the outbreak, the GHS has activated Public Health Emergency Management Committees (PHEMCs) at the national, regional, and district levels.

A multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Rapid Response Team (PHERRT) has also been deployed, including representatives from the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Ghana Education Service (GES), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and Environmental Health Units.

Several actions are being taken to contain the outbreak, including:

• Ongoing outbreak investigations and environmental assessments
• Issuing alerts to health facilities across the country
• Contact tracing and follow-ups with individuals linked to confirmed cases
• Sensitizing healthcare workers on cholera case management and infection prevention
• Conducting active community case searches
• Enforcing strict infection control practices in health facilities
• Setting up an oral rehydration center for patients with mild symptoms

The GHS urges the public to remain vigilant, practice good hygiene, and report any symptoms of cholera to the nearest health facility.