The Ghana Health Service in the Upper East Region has urged food vendors and restaurant operators to wash vegetables thoroughly to prevent cholera infections during the festive season. This call comes in light of a recent cholera outbreak in the Western Region, which has recorded about 123 cases and 15 deaths, alongside 15 health workers infected while on duty.
In an interview on Word FM’s morning show, *Word Community Watch*, Mr. Rexford King James Adjei, the regional health promotion officer, emphasized the importance of maintaining safety protocols. He noted that, although the Upper East Region has not recorded any cholera cases this year, it is crucial for citizens—especially women, food vendors, and restaurant operators—to wash vegetables thoroughly before cooking.
Mr. Adjei advised vendors to avoid serving cold food and encouraged the public to wash their hands thoroughly and consume warm food to prevent infections, particularly as family members return from the Western Region, where cholera cases are rising. He stated:
“One thing they should do is that when you go to restaurants and hotels, when they are serving, normally they should have fire at the base of the food so that always the food is kept warm or hot. When the food is warm, the bacteria cannot survive in it. They should make sure that possibly, since they are selling on the roadside, they could have something warmer and cover the bowls that they use to serve. If they come and sit and eat, they should wash it thoroughly with soap and water immediately someone uses it. Those who are also serving should also wash their hands thoroughly. If you do that, it will help all of us.”
He further urged vendors to wash vegetables, particularly salad, with salt or vinegar to remove dirt and contaminants, suggesting that boiling or smoking vegetables could also be effective.
Mr. Dominic Yeboah, Regional Expanded Program Immunization Coordinator, echoed these sentiments, urging the public to adhere to key health safety protocols. He noted that many people are not following the basic principles that helped during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent disease transmission. Mr. Yeboah emphasized:
“People do a lot of extra things when it comes to gathering and eating; it’s fine, but then there is the need for us to be cautious now that we know that the era of cholera is with us.”
He warned that individuals traveling from areas with cholera cases could contract the disease if they are not well-informed. Mr. Yeboah also urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as severe diarrhea and vomiting to seek immediate treatment at the nearest health center.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/ Gaspard A Adongo