The Minister of Health, Joseph Yieleh Chiereh has blamed the recent Cholera outbreak which has claimed 61 deaths, on recent heavy down pour. Mr. Yieleh Chiereh told Adom News that the heavy rains have caused floods which led to the contamination of many water bodies thereby spreading the disease especially in Accra. The health minister also blamed the situation on the bad practice of dumping liquid human waste in water bodies. The Minister was reacting to issues relating to the cholera epidemic situation in which 61 deaths have been recorded from January to date, while 6,000 others have been hospitalized nationwide. Mr. Yieleh Chireh said the Interior Ministry in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation is tracking the cholera endemic areas in the country to provide the needed health support. These challenges notwithstanding, the ministry is working with other organization to intensify public education, he added. He stressed that government has been working hard to provide health care to those affected by the outbreak. He revealed plans to tour some of the affected communities to have firsthand information on the situation. He said his outfit will embark on a comprehensive education and media outreach programme to educate people on the incidence of cholera, the mode of transmission and its prevention. Story Samuel Mantey/Adom News