In a follow-up on the cholera outbreak in the Cape Coast region of southern Ghana, as of Nov. 2, the total number of cases had risen to 172 with zero deaths.
The exponential increase in cases indicates high transmission potential of infections in the peri urban communities. Central region is made up of 26 districts, six of these districts have reported cholera cases. The districts are Cape Coast Municipal, Abura Asebu Kwamankese, Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem, Twifo Hermang, Asekuma Odoben Brakwa and Mfantseman districts.
The first cases of cholera were detected on Oct. 21. Of the 172 cases reported to date, 138 cases or 80 percent are from Cape Coast Municipal.
In response to the outbreak, an emergency National Technical Coordination Committee (NTCC) meeting in late October was held to respond to the cholera outbreak. On 29 October, a multi-disciplinary national rapid response team (RRT) was deployed to the Cape Coast to support the response on the ground. The RRT conducted orientation for the regional and district response teams and established technical sub committees, which has aligned the coordination structures and harmonized cholera control interventions. Five technical sub-committees have been established including surveillance/laboratory, risk communication/social mobilization, WASH, case management/infection prevention and control, and coordination/logistics. The NTCC has developed a Cholera Contingency Plan, which will guide the response in the coming weeks and months.
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