GHS alerts of Cholera out-break in Accra

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Accra , May 29, GNA – The Greater-Accra Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service,   has alerted the general public in the Metropolis of the possibility of an outbreak of cholera and other infectious diseases with the onset of the rains, coupled with the current poor sanitary conditions in the city.

A release issued and signed by the Regional Director of Health, Dr Linda Van Otoo, asked people to adopt preventive measures to stem the occurrence of any outbreak.

The release advised people to wash their hands with soap and under running water before eating, preparing food and   after visiting the toilet.

It also advised,   among others,   that people should eat cooked food,   while hot, keep their environments clean, drink safe water and keep rubbish covered.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoea illness caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholera that can result in a profound and rapidly progressive dehydration and death.

Ingestion of water and food contaminated by infected human feces is the common means of acquiring the disease.

The main symptoms are profuse painless watery diarrhoea without fever and (often) with vomiting of clear fluid.

These symptoms usually start suddenly, one to five days after ingestion of the bacteria.

The diarrhoea is frequently described as “rice water” in nature,   and may have a fishy odour,   or somewhat sweet inoffensive odour.

An untreated person with cholera may produce 10-20 litres of diarrhoea a day with fatal results.

If the severe diarrhoea and vomiting are not aggressively treated, it can, within hours, result in life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

 
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