By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (V/R), July 6, GNA – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has intensified public education on the signs, symptoms and prevention of cholera in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region under its GoodLife health promotion campaign.
The initiative forms part of efforts to raise awareness and help prevent the spread of the disease, particularly in flood-prone communities across the municipality.
Madam Dora Kugbonu, Public Health Promotion Officer at Keta, said educational materials on cholera were being distributed under the theme, “Cholera Signs and Symptoms.”
She explained that cholera has a sudden onset, with symptoms usually appearing between 12 hours and five days after infection.
“The key symptoms to look out for include painless watery stool, vomiting, and abdominal pain, all of which may occur in persons infected with the cholera disease,” she said.
Madam Kugbonu noted that infected persons could become increasingly weak and tired, adding that persistent diarrhoea and vomiting could rapidly lead to severe dehydration if not promptly treated.
She urged the public to report immediately to the nearest health facility upon noticing any of the symptoms, stressing that early detection and treatment were critical to preventing complications and deaths associated with the disease.
On preventive measures, Madam Kugbonu advised the public to wash their hands thoroughly with soap under running water before eating, before preparing food and after using the toilet.
She also encouraged the public to drink only safe water, saying water from doubtful sources should be boiled before consumption to avoid contamination.
Madam Kugbonu further advised residents to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water before consumption and to eat food while it was hot to minimise the risk of contamination.
She said persons experiencing acute diarrhoea should immediately begin taking Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and Zinc tablets while reporting to the nearest health facility for treatment.
The GHS reiterated its commitment to intensifying public health education in communities vulnerable to flooding and poor sanitation and appealed to residents to observe good hygiene practices and seek prompt medical attention to help prevent possible cholera outbreaks.
The Service also urged community members to keep gutters clean, clear weeds around their homes and eliminate stagnant water to improve environmental sanitation.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah