Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
The disease spreads rapidly in areas with inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and improper hygiene practices. Outbreaks are often linked to the consumption of contaminated drinking water and food, making access to clean water a critical factor in cholera prevention.
The Central Regional Health Directorate has expressed grave concern over the rising cases of cholera in the Cape Coast Municipality.
This surge has been attributed to the persistent water shortages affecting communities in the area. Health officials have warned that if immediate action is not taken to address the situation, hundreds of residents could be at risk of infection.
Dr. Jojo Kobina, Deputy Director of Public Health in the Central Region, has highlighted the link between water shortages and the spread of cholera. According to him;
“It’s one of the contributing factors. Water plays a very important role in ensuring a hygienic environment, and virtually, cholera thrives in the absence of good hygiene.’’
“In the absence of water, people might not get water to flush their toilet. People might not get water to wash their hands. People might not get water to clean their vegetables properly. And even the disposal of waste at some point might require water.’’
Dr. Jojo Kobina Deputy Director of Public Health in the Central Region
Without access to clean water, residents are forced to resort to unsafe alternatives, such as using contaminated water sources, further escalating the crisis. He stated;
“One of the major preventive measures we advocate for is handwashing. So, imagine we don’t have handwashing facilities at various points where people aggregate. It becomes difficult to contain and then eliminate the cholera situation.’’
Dr. Jojo Kobina Deputy Director of Public Health in the Central Region
Call for Urgent Intervention
Dr. Kobina stressed that immediate intervention is needed to prevent the further spread of cholera and protect the health of residents. He emphasized;
“I think what we should do is that the leadership of our communities, our municipalities, our districts should, as a matter of urgency, take steps to ensure the provision of water to these communities.’’
“This would mean that we need to bring in tankers with water from places that have water to come and support these communities who are not having water at such a time that the adequacy of water in their communities is restored.’’
Dr. Jojo Kobina Deputy Director of Public Health in the Central Region
Cholera outbreaks pose severe health risks, particularly in densely populated communities with poor sanitation. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, dehydration, and in extreme cases, death if not treated promptly.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a combination of clean water supply, sanitation improvement, and oral rehydration therapy as key measures to control and prevent cholera outbreaks.
The Cape Coast Municipality is currently facing a heightened risk, and without urgent intervention, the situation could escalate into a full-blown public health crisis. Experts stress that community engagement, government action, and emergency water provision are crucial in curbing the spread of the disease.
While emergency water supply through tankers can offer temporary relief, a long-term and sustainable solution is needed to prevent future outbreaks.
The Central Regional Health Directorate has sounded the alarm, and it is now up to local authorities, the government, and stakeholders to act swiftly to prevent further loss of lives. If these recommendations are not heeded, Cape Coast could face an even more devastating cholera outbreak in the coming weeks.
