Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023
Introduction: On 4th January 2023, a 14-year-old boy was hospitalised for schistosomiasis-related severe anemia in Essuekyir. Data reviewed revealed 11 additional cases that was unusually higher than expected for the period. We investigated to determine the magnitude of the outbreak, assess risk...
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| Language: | English |
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African Field Epidemiology Network
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/55/full/ |
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| author | Grace Adjoa Ocansey Francisca Happy Ametor Sayibu Shahadan Shembla Benedict Adzogble Seth Baffoe Dora Dadzie Godfred Kwabena Sarpong Peter Zunuo Naab Donne Kofi Ameme Charles Noora Lwanga Ernest Kenu |
| author_facet | Grace Adjoa Ocansey Francisca Happy Ametor Sayibu Shahadan Shembla Benedict Adzogble Seth Baffoe Dora Dadzie Godfred Kwabena Sarpong Peter Zunuo Naab Donne Kofi Ameme Charles Noora Lwanga Ernest Kenu |
| author_sort | Grace Adjoa Ocansey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: On 4th January 2023, a 14-year-old boy was hospitalised for
schistosomiasis-related severe anemia in Essuekyir. Data reviewed revealed 11
additional cases that was unusually higher than expected for the period. We
investigated to determine the magnitude of the outbreak, assess risk factors, and
implement control measures. Methods: We reviewed medical records and conducted
community case searches after stakeholder engagement. A suspected case was any
resident with bloody urine between 1st October 2022 and 13th January 2023. Urine
from suspected cases was examined microscopically for Schistosoma ova.
Demographic, clinical, and exposure information were collected. Community
inspection of water, and sanitation facilities was conducted, while directly observing
residents' contact with the river, which we hypothesized as a source of infection.
Kakum River was examined for snails. An unmatched 1:1 case-control study was
conducted from 11th through 17th January 2023. Attack rates and odds ratios at 95%
confidence levels were calculated. Results: Of 118 suspected cases, 94.1% (111/118)
were confirmed. The mean age of cases was 12±5.4 years. Majority, were males
(77.5%(86/111)) and pupils (85.6%(95/111)). Among residents, 62.5%(125/200)
practiced open defecation. Household and community attack rates were
23.4%(84/359) and 5.6%(108/1912) respectively. River exposure through swimming
(aOR=5.0,95%CI:1.7-14.5), fishing (aOR=2.1,95%CI:1.1-4.0), and drawing water
(aOR=2.9,95%CI:1.4-6.4) increased the odds of infection. The Kakum River, which
residents frequently contacted, is the source of infection as some snail species were
recovered from it. Conclusion: Male children were mainly affected. Exposure to
Kakum River was the predominant risk factor. Cases were treated with praziquantel,
and residents were educated to avoid nonessential contact with the river or wear
protective boots. Triennial praziquantel mass administration by Ghana Health Service
was recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-da1c5f65a7214e6abd7ba8cce2989d38 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2664-2824 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | African Field Epidemiology Network |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-da1c5f65a7214e6abd7ba8cce2989d382025-08-20T02:01:28ZengAfrican Field Epidemiology NetworkJournal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health2664-28242024-12-0174https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph.2024.7.4.146Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023Grace Adjoa Ocansey0Francisca Happy Ametor1Sayibu Shahadan Shembla2Benedict Adzogble3Seth Baffoe4Dora Dadzie5Godfred Kwabena Sarpong6Peter Zunuo Naab7Donne Kofi Ameme8Charles Noora Lwanga9Ernest Kenu10 Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra Ghana; Ghana Health Service, Accra Ghana Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra Ghana; Ghana Health Service, Accra GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra Ghana; Ghana Health Service, Accra GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra Ghana; 3University of Ghana Hospital, Accra Ghana Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra Ghana; Ghana Health Service, Accra GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra Ghana; Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Public Health Department, GhanaGhana Health Service, Accra Ghana; Central Region Health Directorate, Cape Coast, GhanaCape Coast Teaching Hospital, Public Health Department, GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra GhanaGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra GhanaIntroduction: On 4th January 2023, a 14-year-old boy was hospitalised for schistosomiasis-related severe anemia in Essuekyir. Data reviewed revealed 11 additional cases that was unusually higher than expected for the period. We investigated to determine the magnitude of the outbreak, assess risk factors, and implement control measures. Methods: We reviewed medical records and conducted community case searches after stakeholder engagement. A suspected case was any resident with bloody urine between 1st October 2022 and 13th January 2023. Urine from suspected cases was examined microscopically for Schistosoma ova. Demographic, clinical, and exposure information were collected. Community inspection of water, and sanitation facilities was conducted, while directly observing residents' contact with the river, which we hypothesized as a source of infection. Kakum River was examined for snails. An unmatched 1:1 case-control study was conducted from 11th through 17th January 2023. Attack rates and odds ratios at 95% confidence levels were calculated. Results: Of 118 suspected cases, 94.1% (111/118) were confirmed. The mean age of cases was 12±5.4 years. Majority, were males (77.5%(86/111)) and pupils (85.6%(95/111)). Among residents, 62.5%(125/200) practiced open defecation. Household and community attack rates were 23.4%(84/359) and 5.6%(108/1912) respectively. River exposure through swimming (aOR=5.0,95%CI:1.7-14.5), fishing (aOR=2.1,95%CI:1.1-4.0), and drawing water (aOR=2.9,95%CI:1.4-6.4) increased the odds of infection. The Kakum River, which residents frequently contacted, is the source of infection as some snail species were recovered from it. Conclusion: Male children were mainly affected. Exposure to Kakum River was the predominant risk factor. Cases were treated with praziquantel, and residents were educated to avoid nonessential contact with the river or wear protective boots. Triennial praziquantel mass administration by Ghana Health Service was recommended.https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/55/full/schistosomiasisoutbreakessuekyircape coastghana |
| spellingShingle | Grace Adjoa Ocansey Francisca Happy Ametor Sayibu Shahadan Shembla Benedict Adzogble Seth Baffoe Dora Dadzie Godfred Kwabena Sarpong Peter Zunuo Naab Donne Kofi Ameme Charles Noora Lwanga Ernest Kenu Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023 Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health schistosomiasis outbreak essuekyir cape coast ghana |
| title | Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023 |
| title_full | Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023 |
| title_fullStr | Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023 |
| title_short | Schistosomiasis outbreak in Essuekyir, Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, January 2023 |
| title_sort | schistosomiasis outbreak in essuekyir cape coast metropolis ghana january 2023 |
| topic | schistosomiasis outbreak essuekyir cape coast ghana |
| url | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/55/full/ |
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