Health and disaster management authorities in the Central Region have stepped up emergency response efforts following the emergence of suspected cholera cases in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District, particularly the coastal town of Moree.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Kwesi Dawood, Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), 16 suspected cases have been reported so far, with five confirmed as of early July. The cases are being actively managed by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), which has swiftly deployed containment measures to limit the spread of the disease.
Public health teams have fumigated public toilets, markets, and other high-risk locations, while contact tracing is underway to identify and monitor people who may have come into contact with the infected individuals.
Mr. Dawood told the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast that the multi-agency response is part of a broader strategy to prevent a potential outbreak in the district, especially as the rainy season increases vulnerability due to poor sanitation and contaminated water sources.
“We are urging the public to immediately report any symptoms of cholera to the nearest health facility. Early detection and treatment save lives,” he emphasized.
The situation in AAK District forms part of a larger cholera concern across the Central Region. So far this year, the region has recorded over 3,000 suspected cases, with 290 confirmed infections and 19 deaths.
Health experts continue to warn that the rainy season heightens the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly in communities with inadequate drainage, poor waste disposal, and open defecation practices.
Cholera, caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, can lead to severe dehydration and death if not treated swiftly. It remains endemic in many parts of Ghana where access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a challenge.
Officials from NADMO and the GHS are now urging residents to observe strict hygiene practices, boil drinking water, wash hands regularly, and avoid eating from unhygienic sources. Community outreach and education campaigns have also been intensified in vulnerable areas.
As part of longer-term measures, local authorities say they are exploring ways to improve sanitation infrastructure and public health education, particularly in high-risk communities like Moree.
