The Travel Clinic warns of cholera outbreaks in West Africa

The Travel Clinic reports:

The Ghanaian Health Minister said he was overwhelmed by the number of cholera cases in Accra when he toured some health facilities in the capital Monday afternoon. At Korle Bu, the Minister was briefed on the situation by the Medical Doctor in charge of the control of the disease, Dr David Nortey, who told the Minister that 400 cases have been recorded and that more cases were yet to be recorded.

The Health Minister of Ghana, Dr Kweku Agyeman Manu, said it was disgusting that a cholera outbreak could engulf the nation’s capital in the 21st century. He observed that the outbreak was due to indiscriminate defecation in gutters, coupled with choked gutters that have contaminated the atmosphere.

Arrests may be a temporary deterrent, but people will continue to defecate in the open as long as they have no alternative, say aid agency staff. Just 17 percent of Accra’s residents, and eight percent of rural Ghanaians, have access to an adequate toilet, according to the government’s 2008 health survey.

Water and sanitation specialists say unless these problems are addressed, cholera will continue to flourish both in Sierra Leone and throughout West Africa.  Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Nigeria are seeing worsening outbreaks.

Cholera is a profuse diarrhrea and vomiting caused by eating food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. The short incubation period of two hours to five days increases the rapid potential of spread. About 75% of people infected do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for seven–14 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.

Among people who develop symptoms, 80% have mild or moderate symptoms, while around 20% develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if untreated.

There are an estimated 3–5 million cholera cases and 100 000–120 000 deaths due to cholera every year. Up to 80% of cases can be successfully treated with oral rehydration salts.

Effective control measures rely on prevention, preparedness and response.

Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical in reducing the impact of cholera and other waterborne diseases.

Oral cholera vaccines are considered an additional means to control cholera, but should not replace conventional control measures.

The vaccine we have here at The Travel Clinic Ltd is a drink for adults and children over 2 years old. There are two doses to be taken over one to six weeks and we can give further advice on water safety as well as provide sterilising tablets and filters.
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