The Oti Region has recorded more than 10,000 cases of typhoid fever in the first six months of 2025, raising serious public health concerns. The alarming figures have prompted the Regional Coordinating Council to establish a sanitation task force to combat the outbreak.
The task force, backed by environmental health officers, will focus on improved waste management, provision of clean water, and strict enforcement of sanitation bylaws. Authorities say the measures are urgently needed to curb the spread of the disease, which continues to strain health facilities in the region.
Regional Environmental Health Officer, Cynthia Sekyere, attributed the surge in typhoid cases to poor sanitation practices and unsafe water sources.
She explained that there were about 4,417 and 5,816 confirmed cases in the first and second quarters of 2025, respectively.
“We were expecting that at least there should be reductions, but there was an increase of 31% of all typhoid cases at the various hospitals in the second quarter. It’s affecting people in Oti region,” she lamented.
Health officials warn that the increasing trend must be tackled immediately to prevent further escalation. The sanitation task force is expected to collaborate with local assemblies, water providers, and community leaders to implement preventive measures.
The Regional Coordinating Council says it will continue to monitor the situation closely while working with national health authorities to protect communities from further outbreaks.
