The Kadjebi District in the Oti Region has seen a significant increase in cases of Enteric fevers, or Typhoid fever. These cases have risen from 370 in 2022 to 672 in 2023, marking a worrying trend. The surge in numbers has been attributed to an increase in testing by health facilities in the area, particularly the health centers.
Speaking during the orientation of National Service Personnel at Kadjebi, Mr. Stephen Amoah, a Public Health Officer with the Kadjebi District Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, urged the public to report early symptoms of the disease for early treatment. He emphasized the importance of early reporting to avoid complications.
Mr. Amoah highlighted poor sanitation as a risk factor for the disease and advised the public to take prevention seriously. This includes cooking food thoroughly, eating warm food, washing hands well, washing fruits with salt, and protecting food from flies.
He stressed that vaccination is a crucial preventive measure for the disease and listed symptoms for early recognition, such as loss of appetite, abdominal pain, joint pain, diarrhea, headache, and rashes. It was also mentioned that the incubation period for the disease is five to 14 days, during which an infected person may develop internal bleeding, swollen feet, pneumonia, and other complications.
Mr. Amoah concluded by advising Typhoid fever patients to adhere to their prescribed medication. He reminded the public that “Prevention is better than cure” and encouraged everyone to take the necessary precautions to avoid contracting the disease.
