Health News of Friday, 4 August 2006

Source: GNA

Cholera hits parts of Asante-Akim South

Juaso (Ash), Aug 04, GNA - The Asante-Akim South District Health Directorate is making efforts to prevent the spread of cholera that has hit some parts of the district.

The outbreak, which has claimed two lives, was first detected at Atwedie after a Community-Based surveillance volunteer alerted the health authorities following frequent diarrhoea cases in the community. A total of 11 cases have so far been reported at the Juaso District Hospital with seven of them from Atwedie, three from Obogu and one from Banka.

The District Health Directorate has therefore embarked on a district-wide educational campaign to create awareness about the outbreak of the disease in the area.

The directorate has also organised a day's sensitisation workshop for all community-based surveillance volunteers in the district. The workshop, attended by 80 participants was aimed at sensitising the volunteers on the causes, prevention and control of the disease.

Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the District Director of Health Services, said sanitary conditions in the district left much to be desired and urged them to educate the people on the need to keep their environment clean.

He urged the Environmental Health Unit to put stringent measures in place to compel people keep their environment clean.