The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed a surge in Typhoid Fever cases in parts of the Oti Region, particularly in Biskoye, Krachi East, Krachi West, and Krachi Nchumuru Districts.

In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director-General, Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, the Service said it was working closely with the Oti Regional Coordinating Council under the Ministry of Health to contain the situation.

A National Case Management Rapid Response Team has been deployed to support regional health officials in assessing the outbreak and coordinating response measures.

Typhoid fever, which is generally endemic in Ghana, is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi.

It spreads through contaminated food and water, often via the faecal-oral route.

Symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, headache, sore throat, and abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by diarrhoea.

The GHS advised the public to adopt preventive measures such as:

Boiling drinking water

Washing hands with soap under running water after toilet and before meals

Avoiding open defecation near water sources

Cooking food thoroughly and avoiding unhygienic street food

Participating in community clean-up exercises

The Service urged residents of the affected districts to remain calm and adhere to medical advice as further investigations and protective measures are rolled out.