These efforts led to a dramatic drop in cholera incidence from 735 cases in 2016, to just 9 cases since january 2017. Pdf large cholera outbreak in brong ahafo region, ghana. The disease is listed as one of three internationally quarantinable diseases by the world health organization, along with plague and yellow fever. Declared in june 2014, the west and central african cholera outbreak as of january 25, 2015 claimed 1,683 registered deaths and over 91,361 reported cases with a reported case fatality rate cfr of 2% in 11 countries, which is 3 times more than in 20. In people who survive, symptoms usually subside in 3 to 6 days. In 2015, a cumulative total of 434 cases with 4 deaths, a case.
Cholera is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called vibrio cholerae. The first major outbreak occurred in 1982, when about 15,032 cases were recorded. May 15, 2018 prevention of cholera is dependent on access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and basic hygiene needs. Cholera is an acute, diarrhoeal illness caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae the infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe washing hands with soap and water is the basis of health cholera. News ghana is ghana s leading online news portal for business in west africa and around the world. Cholera outbreaks spread from accra into other countries in a wavelike fashion. Researchers have estimated that each year there are 1. Highlights the cholera outbreak that started in june 2014 has protracted and spilled over to 2015. In africa in the time of cholera, echenberg chronicles how, within a century, cholera has been transformed from an imported scourge to an african disease. The acute diarrhoea infection which can kill within hours had the highest reported cases from the cape coast municipality in the central region. This study assessed the response activities undertaken in two districts, akatsi district in volta region and komendaedinaeguafoabirem keea municipal in central region during the 2012 cholera epidemic in ghana. The first case of cholera in ghana was in a togolese national in transit at the kotoka international airport from guinea. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the cdc website the centers for disease control and prevention cdc cannot attest to the accuracy of a nonfederal website.
Business opportunities for water and sanitation in ghana. Since the 1980s, ghana has experienced sporadic outbreaks of cholera. Yearly number of cholera cases and case fatality rate cfr in ghana, 1199020 figure 2. Treatment of the source may be the best way to prevent the spread of cholera in the community. Cholera has claimed many lives throughout history and it continues to be a global threat, especially in countries in africa. About 20% of symptomatic cases present with a severe form of. To prevent cyclical cholera outbreaks in ghana, this commentary discusses. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium vibrio cholerae. Ashitey 1 provides an account on the first cholera epidemic of 1970 in ghana. High and low incidence areas hia and lia were selected in comparative cost analysis and disease impact. In addition, the democratic shift in ghana spurred healthcare reforms in an attempt to address the presence of infectious and noncommunicable diseases eventually resulting in the formation of the national health. The global burden of cholera is large, particularly in africa and southern asia. Whereas reasons for the low reported number of deaths in the past are unclear, we hypothesize that it may be due to increased vaccination from expanded program on immunization epi and consequent herd immunity of the general population. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
Aug 10, 2017 an outbreak of cholera due to vibrio cholerae o1 occurred in the brong ahafo region of ghana in 2014, the second in as many years the last in 2012 raising questions to decreasing intervals of cholera epidemics in the region. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium, vibrio cholera. About 75% of people in fected with vibrio cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces. Despite recurring outbreaks of cholera in ghana, very little has been reported on. This study aimed at determining economic costs on households affected by the cholera outbreak in a coastal region of ghana. Large cholera outbreak in brong ahafo region, ghana. From 1998 to 2017, greater accra alone recorded 58. Oct 11, 2017 globally, cholera remains an important public health challenge. The overall cfr was higher than the who acceptable rate of cholera is now endemic with cyclical epidemics. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea that lasts a few days.
In june 2014, a cholera outbreak was reported in ghana. The treatment of diarrhoea a manual for physicians and other senior health workers. In ghana, the first case of cholera occurred on september 1, 1970 following the seventh pandemic that started in indonesia in 1961 15. Ghana has seen outbreaks of the disease roughly every five years since the 19704. A community approach to preventing cholera in ghana global. Country office ghana situation report on cholera outbreak in ghana as of 15 march 2015 week 11 i. The bacteria typically live in waters that are somewhat salty and. Ghana experienced its worst cholera outbreak in three decades in 2014. Shellfish found in united states coastal waters can be contaminated with v. Ranked among the worlds dirtiest countries, ghana has poor environmental sanitation and hygiene, and a lack of potable water, all of which combined have been largely blamed as the underscoring reasons for cholera outbreaks. Business opportunities for water and sanitation in ghana january 2018. Main outbreaks were reported in the densely populated regions of greater accra and ashanti, and in bordering coastal regions. Economic evaluation of 2014 cholera outbreak in ghana.
The overall cfr was higher than the who acceptable rate of ghana, the first case of cholera occurred on september 1, 1970 following the seventh pandemic that started in indonesia in 1961 15. Assessment of the response to cholera outbreaks in two. An outbreak of cholera due to vibrio cholerae o1 occurred in the brong ahafo region of ghana in 2014, the second in as many years the last in 2012 raising questions to decreasing intervals of cholera epidemics in the region. News ghana is ghanas leading online news portal for business in west africa and around the world. Dynamics of cholera epidemics from benin to mauritania. A community approach to preventing cholera in ghana volunteers comb the marketplaces of cape coast, ghana educating stall owners on how to prevent the spread of cholera. The bacteria remain in a few people indefinitely without causing symptoms. There are lessons to be learnt from cholera outbreaks in ghana. Cholera outbreak in ghana kills at least 67 since june. A cholera outbreak in ghanas capital has reached staggering levels, an official said friday, blaming poor sanitation and overcrowded health facilities for the rapid spread of the disease. Rapid risk assessment cholera cases in the horn of africa and gulf of aden 19 may 2017 2 disease background information cholera is an acute enteric infection caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae. Between 1999 and 2005, africa alone accounted for about 90% of over 1 million reported cholera cases worldwide. In ghana, there were over 9,000 cholera cases in 1999 with approximately 250 deaths cfr of 2. Epidemiological link of a major cholera outbreak in greater.
Aug 25, 2014 cholera has killed at least 67 people in ghana since june and infected more than 5,000 others in an outbreak that highlights the health and sanitation challenges facing one of africas fastest. Prevention of cholera is dependent on access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and basic hygiene needs. September 2014 volume 48, number 3 ghana medical journal. The most important virulence factor associated with v.
Cholera in ghana is an urban problem with high impact on the urban poor. Aug 15, 2014 a cholera outbreak in ghana s capital has reached staggering levels, an official said friday, blaming poor sanitation and overcrowded health facilities for the rapid spread of the disease. The history of health in ghana was heavily influenced by international actors such as christian missionaries, european colonists, the world bank, and the international monetary fund. Declared in june 2014, the west and central african cholera outbreak as of january 25, 2015. The cholera organisms in stool are a mixture of freeswimming cells of v. The overall cfr was higher than the who acceptable rate of centers for disease control and prevention cdc cannot attest to the accuracy of a nonfederal website. Cholera outbreak in west africa was first reported in guinea. Cholera, epidemic, outbreak, sanitation, hygiene, ghana. These bacteria are mainly found in humans although the bacteria may be found in brackish water and estuaries. Selected cholera hotspots in ghana from 1998 to 2017.
Infected togolese national on transit to conakry, guinea collapsed at the kotoka international airport in accra, ghana and was found to have cholera 16. The bacteria typically live in waters that are somewhat salty and warm, such as estuaries and waters along coastal areas. Linking to a nonfederal website does not constitute an endorsement by cdc or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. West africa, and for that matter ghana, had its share of epidemic cholera during the. High and low incidence areas hia and lia were selected in comparative cost analysis and. Ghana recorded over 9000 cholera cases in 1999 with about 250 deaths. However, upper west, northern, upper east and volta region are the least affected region s in ghana. Jan 24, 2017 over 700 cholera cases with no death were recorded in 2016, the ghana health service ghs and ministry of health moh have stated. A nationwide outbreak of vibrio cholerae occurred in ghana in 2014 with accra, the nations capital as the epicenter. Epidemiological link of a major cholera outbreak in. We found that at least 54% of cases concerned populations living in the three urban areas of accra, freetown, and conakry.
Over 700 cholera cases with no death were recorded in 2016, the ghana health service ghs and ministry of health moh have stated. Cumulative incidence of cholera by commune in ghana, 1998202 figure 3. Ghana s cholera outbreak, officials say, is the worst in more than 30 years, with the country last suffering such a high number of casualties in 1982. Epidemiological parameters of cholera outbreaks by main affected 2region in ghana, 199820 note. Ghana has had recurrent epidemics in the past but has been free from high mortality levels. Cholera is a contagious diarrheal disease caused by toxins produced by certain vibrio cholerae bacteria. The country has concomitantly suffered seasonal cholera outbreaks that have impacted negatively on the populations health, as well as on the nations economy. Cholera outbreak in ghana kills at least 67 since june health24. Epidemiological link of a major cholera outbreak in greater accra. Dukerspatial and demographic patterns of cholera in ashanti region ghana.
In 2014, 60 percent of ghanas districts reported cholera infections and in 2014 and 2015 combined, nearly 30,000 new cases and over 250 deaths were. The weekly epidemiological record wer serves as an essential instrument for the rapid and accurate dissemination of epidemiological information on cases and outbreaks of diseases under the international health regulations and on other communicable diseases of public health importance, including emerging or reemerging infections. The case of cholera epidemiology in ghana dissertation to obtain the degree of doctor at the university of twente, on the authority of the rector magnificus, prof. Owoo1 and edward nketiahamponsah1 abstract introduction. As of 18 aug, 6,018 cases including 47 deaths case fatality rate of 0.
Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. These epidemics are now predictable but sanitary reforms have been inactive, ineffective and local authorities have failed in applying necessary byelaws on food hygiene, sanitation, environmental health and waste disposal. Despite recurring outbreaks of cholera in ghana, very little has been reported on assessments of outbreak response activities undertaken in affected areas. With the high number of campaigns and education on cholera, officials say it is baffling to see many people queueing for food sold at joints close to refuse dumps, filthy and open gutters. Weekly number of cholera cases and median of estimated tenday precipitation in ghana, 2001202,3 table i. Cholera is now thought to be endemic in parts of the country. A community approach to preventing cholera in ghana. In emergencies, a free residual chlorine of about 0. Spatial and demographic patterns of cholera in ashanti. Outbreak of cholera, greater accra region, ghana, 2014. Pdf background a nationwide outbreak of vibrio cholerae occurred in ghana in. The study was both descriptive and unmatched communitybased 1.
About 75% of people infected with vibrio cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces. Large cholera outbreak in brong ahafo region, ghana ncbi. The epidemiology of cholera in the areas in asia, africa and the. Cholera, epidemiological link, greater accra region. Increase of cholera cases in the horn of africa and the gulf. Assessment of the response to cholera outbreaks in two districts in ghana sallyann ohene1, wisdom klenyuie2 and mark sarpeh3 abstract background. Cholera, epidemiological link, greater accra region background cholera is a disease which affects the intestines and is characterized by severe watery diarrhea with vomiting and severe dehydration 1, 2. Diarrhea can be so severe that it leads within hours to severe dehydration. The two most distinguishing epidemiologic features of the disease are its tendency to appear in explosive outbreaks and its predisposition to causing pandemics that may progressively.
Most infected individuals remain asymptomatic or experience only mild diarrhoea. Spatial and demographic patterns of cholera in ashanti region. Ghana free zones board gfzb, which implements the free. Increase of cholera cases in the horn of africa and the. Brinksma, on account of the decision of the graduation committee, to be publicly defended on thursday 9 december 2010 at 15. According to the world health organization, the most common diseases in ghana include those endemic to subsaharan african countries, particularly. Cholera headache in ghana, with open sewers revisited. Globally, cholera remains an important public health challenge. Country office ghana situation report on cholera outbreak. A strong cholera preparedness plan and programme is the best preparation for outbreaks in countries at risk of cholera, whether or not they have yet been affected, or countries in which seasonal recurrence of the disease may be expected.
The following materials cover a new global initiative for cholera prevention and control, as well as the basics of cholera and other diarrheal disease prevention. Ending cholera a global roadmap to 2030 pdf factsheet key facts. Evidence of cholera economic costs on affected households has been limited. Epidemiological parameters of cholera outbreaks by main affected.
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