In an effort to combat the rising cholera outbreak, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has commenced a mass vaccination drive in Accra, targeting over 300,000 residents.

0

The exercise, which began today [Friday, February 14], is part of a broader initiative to contain the spread of the disease, which has already affected over 4,000 people across five regions, including Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, and Western.

1

With more than 40 deaths recorded so far, health officials are racing against time to curb further infections and fatalities.

2

Cholera, a highly infectious disease caused by bacteria, spreads through contaminated food and water, leading to acute diarrhea and severe dehydration. Poor sanitation, unclean drinking water, and unhygienic food handling have been identified as major contributors to the current outbreak.

3

Experts caution that without immediate intervention, the crisis could escalate. As part of its emergency response, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with GHS, is administering oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in high-risk areas.

4

These vaccines offer temporary immunity, serving as a critical measure to protect vulnerable communities, particularly those lacking access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities.

5