The Effutu Municipal Hospital has confirmed 29 cases of cholera out of a total of 356 reported cases, with one fatality recorded. The hospital has launched an urgent contact-tracing initiative to prevent further spread of the disease within the municipality.
According to the hospital authorities, all confirmed cases originated from a single family in a specific area within Effutu. The Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr. Douglas Amponsah, assured the public that all affected individuals have been isolated and are receiving medical treatment.
To contain the outbreak, the hospital has set up a dedicated cholera isolation center. Dr. Amponsah highlighted that most of the affected individuals are children, but they are responding well to treatment.
"We have established an isolation unit to manage the situation effectively. So far, 29 cases have been confirmed positive for cholera out of the 356 reported. The majority of cases are concentrated in a particular area in Winneba. Sadly, we have recorded two fatalities—one in October 2024 and another in 2025," he stated.
Practical Solutions to Prevent Further Outbreaks
To curb the spread of cholera and prevent future outbreaks, the following measures should be implemented:
• Improve Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
• Provide clean and safe drinking water to residents, especially in affected areas.
• Ensure proper sewage disposal and prevent contamination of water sources.
• Encourage the use of water purification methods such as boiling or chlorination.
• Enhance Hygiene Education
• Educate the public on the importance of handwashing with soap and clean water.
• Promote proper food handling and storage practices to prevent contamination.
• Encourage the use of latrines and discourage open defecation.
• Community-Based Disease Surveillance
• Train community health volunteers to identify and report early symptoms.
• Establish rapid response teams to contain outbreaks before they spread.
• Conduct regular health screenings in high-risk areas.
• Mass Vaccination Campaigns
• Introduce cholera vaccination in vulnerable communities to build immunity.
• Collaborate with health authorities to make vaccines readily available.
• Government and Stakeholder Collaboration
• Strengthen partnerships between local authorities, health organizations, and NGOs to improve public health infrastructure.
• Enforce sanitation regulations and penalize improper waste disposal.