The items are 600 boxes of Procter and Gamble water purifiers, 450 Veronica buckets for handwashing, and buckets for water storage and other logistics.

Mr Jean-Claude Mukadi, Interim National Director, World Vision Ghana, who presented the items, said the purifiers would serve over 500 households, purifying about 160,000 litres of water.
He said World Vision Ghana is committed to supporting the Government's efforts of strengthening the health system to combat cholera and other public health emergencies.

As part of efforts to improve water and sanitation in communities, the World Vision Ghana had drilled about 5,000 boreholes to provide potable water to communities in the last 40 years, he said.

Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director General, Ghana Health Service, commended the WVG for their generous support to the Service, with a caution to beneficiary communities not to sell the items upon receipt.

He said the items would be deployed to the cholera affected zones and monitored to ensure proper distribution. Commenting on the cholera outbreak, Dr Akoriyea said the situation was presently under control as the country had successfully vaccinated 99 per cent of its targeted population.

As of Tuesday, there were only mild cases on admission, which would likely be discharged by the end of day or the next day.

"We are not getting many cases, but we are happy that people are reporting suspected cholera infection for early detection and treatment," he said.

Dr Akoriyea said the Meningitis outbreak was also under control and that the Service had strengthened its epidermic preparedness and response systems to tackle any possible epidermic.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Cholera as an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

Symptoms include frequent diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, along with abdominal cramps, fever, headache, fatigue, dry mouth and throat, and decreased urine output.
Medical experts warn that severe cases of the disease can be fatal within hours if left untreated.

Most individuals infected with cholera may not exhibit symptoms, but the bacteria can be present in their faeces for one to 10 days post-infection, potentially contaminating the environment and infecting others.

A minority of patients develop acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated. Cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Typical at-risk areas include peri-urban slums and camps for internally displaced persons.

Early detection and treatment are crucial to preventing complications and reducing mortality.

The Ghana Health Service has advised the public to drink safe treated water, eat well cooked or properly handled food, avoid close contact with infected individuals, practice good hygiene; and wash hands with soap under running water among other preventive measures.

It also adviced the public to ensure proper disposal of faeces and report to the nearest health facility if one is experiencing profuse diarrhoea and vomiting.