Cholera outbreak following a marriage ceremony in Medinya, Western Ghana

Abstract

IntroductionCholera is a diarrhoea disease caused by the bacterium e. On 13th June 2011, there was a reported outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea at Medinya among people who eat at a mass traditional wedding ceremony in the Western Region of Ghana. We investigated to characterize the outbreak, and implement control and preventive measures.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study. We interviewed health workers, reviewed medical records, conducted environmental assessment and obtained water and stool samples for laboratory investigation. A suspected cholera-case defined as a person with acute watery diarrhoea, with or without vomiting, who ate food prepared at the mass traditional wedding in Medinya on 10th June 2011. We performed univariate and bivariate analysis.ResultsOf the 17 case-patients, 9 (52.9%) were males. The overall attack rate was 11.18% and case fatality rate was 5.9%. The most affected age group was 6-10 years (23.53%) with median age of 20 and ranged 6 to 38 years. Time of onset of symptoms was 2.00am and peaked at 10.am on 13th June. Compared to other food served, fufu with groundnut soup was more likely to have been contaminated (RR=7.3, 95%CI: 1.8-29.3). We isolated e serotype ogawa from stool samples. We observed open defaecation and poor personal hygiene.Conclusione serotype ogawa caused a high case-fatality outbreak in Medinya. Contaminated fufu and groundnut soup were the sources. Hand washing with soap was initiated and a make shift latrine constructed following our health education and recommendations.

Cyclical cholera outbreaks in Ghana: filth, not myth

“…Cholera, unlike other diarrheal diseases, is fatal even among healthy young adults, and poses a greater risk of death among immunocompromised individuals and malnourished children. The epidemics’ endemic nature in Ghana has been attributed to a lack of potable water supply, the presence of slums, unsanitary practices and poor personal hygiene, indiscriminate waste disposal, as well as street vending of contaminated water or food [ 1 – 3 ].…”