Region An acute water shortage in Ghana's Eastern region is leading most residents to drink unhygienic water, heightening the risk of cholera that has already killed nine people and infected 42 others, 'The Ghanaian Chronicle' reported on Thursday. The newspaper reported the regional director of health services, Dr Aaron Offei, as saying that by the week ending 17 February 42 cases of cholera had been detected in the Suhum Kraboa Coaltar, Akuapem North and South districts of the region.
Cholera is fairly common during the rainy season.
In 1997, it said, there were 82 reported cases, but by 31 December 2000, there were 1,955 cases and 64 deaths. The material contained on this Web site comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. All graphics and images on this site may not be re-produced without the express permission of the original owner.