The Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ministry of Health have started a vaccination campaign in Accra in response to the concerning increase in cholera cases in certain areas.
In order to stop the deadly disease from spreading, the program, which begins today [Friday, February 14], intends to vaccinate nearly 300,000 citizens of the city.
As Ghana fights a growing cholera outbreak that has already led to over 4,000 cases recorded across five regions—the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, and Western regions—this vaccination effort comes at a crucial moment.
More than 40 people have sadly died as a result of the outbreak, which has worried the public and health officials.
Cholera is a highly infectious bacterial infection that is mainly spread by contaminated food and water. It causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases, death.
Unsanitary food handling procedures, a lack of access to clean water, and poor sanitation are all blamed for the outbreak.
Health officials caution that if immediate action is not taken to stop future transmission, the situation may get worse.
The Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health are distributing oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in specific communities as part of the national response strategy.
The vaccine offers temporary defense against the illness and is particularly important in places with poor access to clean water and sanitary facilities.
