AMA Warns Of Cholera Outbreak

Health officials in Accra have issued a cholera alert following Wednesday�s devastating floods which displaced hundreds of residents. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) said sanitation in the city is in a deplorable state and is likely to trigger a massive outbreak of Cholera and other water borne diseases. AMA officials are already sensitizing residents especially food vendors on the need to observe personal and food hygiene to prevent the outbreak. Health Director of the AMA, Dr. Simpson Anim Boateng indicated that there is the possibility of an outbreak and called on all and sundry to be cautious of what they consume. He said �a recent survey by the Assembly has revealed that most houses in the city do not have toilet facilities. This has resulted in the indiscriminate defecation into drains and open spaces. �The general environment is therefore fatally contaminated. This condition is a potential trigger for outbreak of cholera and other diseases. �The Assembly is therefore cautioning the entire residents to be careful of the food they eat and the water they drink to avoid being infected. � He however advised that people �avoid buying food exposed to flies and other unhygienic conditions. Wash your hands with soap under clean running water after using the toilet, before eating and before preparing food. �Residents should not buy food prepared and sold under unhygienic conditions."