A doctor has appealed to members of the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Atomic, to be careful not to contract either Ebola or cholera which have both become endemic in West Africa.

Dr Alexander Adjei, a member of the Church’s Medical Team, gave statistics about cholera in the country and said 16 had also been recorded in just one week in Accra.

He said most of the cholera cases recorded were pregnant women and children who are always vulnerable to such epidemics.

Dr Adjei explained that the bacteria thrives in contaminated food and water caused by exposure to the faeces of an infected person, which, when eaten or drunk by humans, causes serious diarrhea, vomiting and fever leading to sever dehydration..

He said a first aid of coconut juice, Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) or very watery rice porridge could be given immediately to prevent further dehydration, while the patient is quickly rushed to the hospital.

According to him, early reporting and diagnosis was critical to help save the patient as infusions are given to rehydrate the body, while antibiotics are used to treat the infections.

Dr Adjei said there was an urgent need to intensify public education on cholera and urged members of the congregation to lead in the crusade in maintaining high environmental sanitation in their homes and communities to eliminate the disease from the country.

Members were also educated on the origin, diagnosis, symptoms and prevention of Ebola and said it could be contracted through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person such as sweat, blood, vomit, stool, urine or tears.

He cautioned people who have cravings for bush meat to also stop as the disease is also known to be spread through eating of such animals.

The Medical team advised members of the congregation to suspend practices such as hugging, friendly kissing and hand shaking among other things to prevent contracting the disease and also report suspected cases to the nearest health facilities.