The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof. Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has urged the public to adopt strict hygiene practices to prevent waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera, as well as malaria, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and environmental contamination.
He explained that the Service has activated surveillance systems to closely monitor cases of diarrhea and related illnesses across the country, while collecting stool samples to identify pathogens responsible for infections and guide public health response.
According to him, no cholera cases have currently been recorded. However, he cautioned that contaminated water sources and poor environmental conditions significantly increase the risk of outbreaks if preventive measures are not strictly observed.
Prof. Dr. Akoriyea advised the public to ensure that all drinking water is properly treated before consumption, either by boiling or using approved water purification tablets such as Aquatabs.
He also emphasized the need for proper food hygiene, urging residents to thoroughly wash fruits and other ready-to-eat foods before consumption to avoid contamination.
He further called on the public to maintain regular handwashing practices as a key preventive measure against the spread of infectious diseases, including cholera and diarrhea.
On malaria prevention, he encouraged households to consistently sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets and to eliminate stagnant water and containers that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Prof. Dr. Akoriyea reaffirmed the Ghana Health Service’s commitment to early detection, surveillance, and rapid response to disease outbreaks through continuous monitoring and public health education campaigns aimed at protecting communities nationwide.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
