CAPE COAST RECORDS 93 CHOLERA CASES WITH 2 DEATHS

By: Kwamina Bamfo-Agyei

Various health centres in Cape Coast Metropolis have recorded ninety-three (93) cholera cases leading to two deaths.

This was made by the Cape Coast Metropolitan Disease Control Officer Benjamin Amoahkwu. He attributed the high case of cholera to filth that is in the metropolis.

When Central Press went to Abura market the waste contain was full of refuse yet to be collected by Zoomlion and in other areas the picture is the same. Residents in the area have appealed to Zoomlion to be active on their jobs and work with time in helping to clean the public areas.

Mr. Amoahkwu appealed to residents in Cape Coast to be mindful of what they eat since it can result in cholera if care is not taken. He appealed to residents living around the beach to stop using the beach as a refuse disposal and as toilet facility.

In a related development Abura Asebu Kwamankesse District has recorded twenty-five (25) with two deaths this was made by the District Director of Ghana Health Service Mrs Gifty Ankrah in an interview with Ibrahim Adams of ATL FM in Cape Coast.

According to McElroy et al (2009) Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

The main symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting. This may result in dehydration and in severe cases grayish-bluish skin. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces (waste product) of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms.

The severity of the diarrhea and vomiting can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and death in some cases. The primary treatment is oral rehydration therapy, typically with oral rehydration solution, to replace water and electrolytes. If this is not tolerated or does not provide improvement fast enough, intravenous fluids can also be used. Antibacterial drugs are beneficial in those with severe disease to shorten its duration and severity.

Worldwide, it affects 3–5 million people and causes 100,000–130,000 deaths a year as of 2010. Cholera was one of the earliest infections to be studied by epidemiological methods.