Ghanaians urged to be mindful of Escherichia

Tamale, Sept 9. – Dr Enoch Harvoh, Medical Officer of obstetrics and gynecology at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) urged Ghanaians especially nursing mothers and health professionals to be mindful of their hygiene to reduce the rate of Escherichia Coli infection spread among families.

He said Escherichia Coli is also known as E. Coli is a bacteria that can be found in the environment, water /food and intestines of humans and animals.

He added that E coli has six strains, most of which are harmless except the Shiga toxin – producing E. Coli (STEC) which can cause serious food poisoning.

Dr Harvoh said this during an interview with Ghana News Agency in Tamale.

He noted that nursing mothers who do not wash their hands well with soap and water after removing babies diapers, spread E. Coli when they breastfeed their babies, making them prone to diarrhea which can result in dehydration and latter kidney failure.

He advised nursing mothers to clean their nipples well before breastfeeding.

He also added that mobile phones which are used in the hospitals and other places should be cleaned with spirit and cotton before bringing them to the house. This is another source of E. Coli spread.

Dr Harvoh again advised that children /aged, people with conditions such as diabetes mellitus, Sickle cell disease, retro viral infection, are at a higher risk of E. Coli infections and need to take their personal hygiene more seriously to prevent further complications such as seizures, confusion, insomnia, hemolytic uremic syndrome and kidney failure.