Cholera epidemic kills 11 in Ghana

Accra, April 5 (IANS) At least 11 people have died from a fresh outbreak of cholera in Ghana's capital Accra in less than two weeks, Xinhua reported.

Edward Antwi, deputy regional director of public health confirmed the toll.

Poor sanitation in the city has been blamed for the outbreak. Most homes in Ghana are without toilet facilities while the few that were previously available have been converted into rooms, shops and stores for rentals.

Authorities have cautioned residents to be aware of the food and water they consume.

Officials of the Ghana Health Service have begun sensitising food vendors on the need to observe personal and food hygiene to end the cholera epidemic.

Ghana recorded 94 deaths out of 8,494 cases of cholera last year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 120,000 people die each year from cholera.