Health authorities in the Ashanti Region have intensified their response to rising cholera cases as Sekyere South, Kumasi, and Bekwai report infections amid a nationwide outbreak.
Over 4,000 suspected cases and 35 deaths have been recorded across Ghana since October 2024.
The Ashanti Region has confirmed its first five cholera cases, affecting three districts: Sekyere South (3 cases), Kumasi (1 case), and Bekwai (1 case), as of December 28, 2024. Out of 28 suspected cases, laboratory tests verified five as positive.
The region now joins the Western, Greater Accra, and Central Regions, which have all battled deadly cholera outbreaks in recent months.
Health authorities in Ashanti Region are therefore on high alert. The Regional Health Directorate, led by Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, has initiated measures including: Disinfecting the homes of confirmed cases, isolating patients and tracing contacts, strengthening public health surveillance and mobilizing emergency response teams.
“Efforts are underway to contain the outbreak and educate healthcare workers on identifying and managing cases. Communities in Bekwai and Sekyere South have undergone assessments, revealing localized infections with no use of public restrooms by the affected,” the authorities have assured.
The outbreak, initially reported in the Western Region, has now reached critical levels, underscoring the need for swift action to prevent further spread.
By Benjamin Aidoo
