Officials of the Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health in the Jomoro District have begun screening food vendors, drinking bar operators and iced water hawkers.

The measure is to curb the recent rising cases of typhoid reported at the Half-Assini Government hospital.

Mr Yaw Dwumah, District Environmental Health officer told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Half-Assini on Friday that 54 cases of typhoid had been reported at the hospital in the past few weeks.

He said this necessitated the conduct of a bacteriological examination on the water supply system for the community, and it was found to be safe for consumption.

Mr Emmanuel Affelkukum, District Director of Health, confirmed that typhoid cases at the hospital were on the increase and advised the people to observe personal hygiene to avoid contamination.

As part of efforts to check the disease, the Division has mounted a house-to-house education programme to promote healthy environmental practices among residents.