Health officials in the country are raising significant concerns over the cholera outbreak that communities across the country are grappling with.

The outbreak has already claimed 16 lives, with 116 confirmed cases reported in four regions: Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western.

The situation has prompted calls for urgent measures to prevent further spread.

In response to the outbreak, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is urging the public to revert to the hygiene protocols widely practised during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These measures, which include regular hand washing, sanitising, and the careful handling of food and water, are seen as essential steps to curb the spread of the disease.

Health authorities are emphasising the importance of maintaining strict hygiene to safeguard public health.

Dr Dennis Laryea, Deputy Director of Disease Surveillance at the GHS, highlighted the preventable nature of the recent fatalities.

He stressed that early treatment at medical facilities is crucial to reducing the risk of severe illness or death from cholera.

Dr Laryea encouraged individuals experiencing symptoms, such as severe diarrhoea and dehydration, to seek immediate medical attention.

“Our concerns have had to do with the death. The numbers yes but quite a number of them were brought in dead, which means they were delayed in seeking care. About seven or eight of them were brought in dead."

“The majority of the others spent less than 12 to 24 hours on admission. That meant that we had little time to make a difference. Their kidneys may have stopped functioning due to dehydration.

"We have seen some changes in some of the districts. Once you start developing symptoms; vomiting, watery diarrhoea, get to the health facility,” he stated.