In light of the concerning rise in cholera cases throughout several regions, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have initiated a vaccination campaign in Accra.
Starting today, Friday, February 14, 2025, the programme aims to vaccinate over 300,000 residents in the capital to help stem the tide of this deadly illness.
This campaign is particularly timely, as Ghana faces an escalating cholera outbreak, with more than 4,000 reported cases spanning five regions: Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, and Western.
Sadly, the outbreak has already claimed over 40 lives, raising alarms among health officials and the public alike.
Cholera is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily spreads through contaminated food and water, causing severe diarrhoea and dehydration, which can lead to death in severe cases.
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Factors contributing to the outbreak include poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and unhygienic food handling practices.
Health authorities caution that without immediate action, the situation is likely to deteriorate further.
As part of the national response strategy, the Ministry of Health and the GHS are distributing oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in targeted areas.
This vaccine offers short-term protection against the disease and is particularly vital in regions where access to clean water and proper sanitation is limited.