A cholera outbreak in parts of Ghana has claimed 37 lives as of December 26, 2024. Confirmed cases have increased from 346 to 359, while suspected cases have surged to 4,618, affecting 91 out of the country’s 276 districts.

The Western Region reported two more fatalities, bringing its total deaths to five. Notably, some victims were brought to healthcare facilities already deceased. Following these developments, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has begun mortality audits to examine the causes of death and improve response efforts.

Additionally, the number of districts with confirmed cholera cases has grown from 44 to 46, reflecting the outbreak's spread as of December 24, 2024. The GHS is intensifying efforts to curb the outbreak, including public health education and sanitation measures.

New cholera cases have been reported in Agona East in the Central Region and La Nkwantanang Madina in the Greater Accra Region.

In response, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has activated multi-sectoral rapid response teams at the national, regional, and district levels. These teams are working to prevent further spread and offer crucial support to the affected communities.

While the number of hospitalizations has decreased from 64 to 46, the Western Region still has the highest number of patients, with 37 people hospitalized. The Greater Accra Region has three hospitalized cases, and the Central Region reports six.

The GHS continues to monitor the situation closely and take necessary measures to control the outbreak.

Efforts to trace contacts have been effective, with 9,667 individuals identified, of which 8,667 have completed the required five-day follow-up period.

The second phase of the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign took place from December 15 to 18, 2024, in areas of the Western Region most affected by the outbreak.

Districts such as Sekondi-Takoradi, Effia Kwesimintsim, Shama, and Ahanta West were covered, and a mop-up operation was carried out on December 19.

The campaign successfully vaccinated 596,205 people, achieving an impressive 92.9% of the target population.

To help prevent further outbreaks, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has also stepped up testing of food vendors and water sources in the affected districts.