Accra, Aug 18, GNA - The Ghana Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GGWEP) on Wednesday said despite Ghana's peace, stability and economic growth it remained the most guinea worm endemic country in West Africa with 8,290 cases in 2003.

This was contained in a statement issued by Dr Andrew Seidu Korkor, Program Manager for Ghana Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GGERP). It added that Ghana remained the most endemic in the world next to war torn Sudan.

It added that these 8,290 cases represent 48 per cent increase in cases compared to 5,611 cases reported in 2002.

The statement said this water born disease could be eradicated from the country by a nationwide network of community base volunteers in every village who would detect and report cases of the diseases to Supervising Health Workers.

It said other measures of preventing this disease were preventing guinea worm infected patients from entering and re-infecting stagnant sources of water and correctly filtering all infected water before drinking throughout the year.

Dr Korkor said that 20 districts accounted for 98 per cent of all cases reported so far this year between January and June with Nkwanta District in the Volta Region (V/R) leading with 1,181 cases; followed by Tolon /Kumbungu, Northern Region (N/R) with 980 cases; Savelugu/Nanton (N/R), 570; Yendi (N/R) with 530 cases.

The others are Tamale (N/R) 381 cases; East Gonja (N/R) 330; Gushegu/Karaga (N/R) 328; Nanumba (N/R) 297; Kete-Krachi (V/R), 279; Zabzugu / Tatale (N/R) 268 and West Gonja (N/R) 199 cases.

The rest are Kintampo, Brong Ahafo (B/A), reported 65 cases; Wa, Upper West had 38; Atebubu (B/A) 33 cases, Offinso, Ashanti (Ash), 27; Saboba/Chreponi (N/R) 23; Sene (B/A) 16; Ejura-Sekeyeredumasi (Ash) 11; Akatsi (V/R) 10 and Nkoranza (B/A) with 9 cases.