112 sample tests for cholera came out negative, making Abia Cholera-free – Abia govt.

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Results of tests carried out on 112 suspected cases of cholera reported in Abia State came out negative, making health officials in the state to declare that Abia was cholera-free.

But sadly, three diphtheria-induced deaths were recorded in the state, triggering an alert which led carrying out several tests that equally certified the state as diphtheria-free.

Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Mrs Ngozi Azodo, announced these to newsmen in Umuahia last Monday during the post-State Executive Council Executive Weekly Meeting news briefing.

They said that 112 suspected cholera cases were reported across eight local governments of the state, while the diphtheria outbreak was reported in two local governments.

“In the health sector, I want to announce to you that Abia is cholera and Diphtheria-free. Between June 25 and July 7, 2024, a total of 112 suspected cases of cholera were reported, cutting across eight local government areas of the state.

“But the good news is that at the end of it all, following various tests carried out on the samples collected across these eight local government areas, there are no reported cases of deaths or even a confirmed case of cholera. That is the reason we can comfortably say that Abia is cholera-free,” the Commissioner for Information said.

“Same thing with diphtheria. There were about 12 reported cases of Diphtheria across the state but it was in two local governments: Osisioma and Umuahia South. Unfortunately, there were three deaths from those suspected cases but the rest of the results did not confirm that there were other cases of diphtheria. So, we can say confidently that Abia is free from diphtheria,” the Commissioner added.

According to Kanu, health workers in the state were working assiduously and ensuring heightened surveillance to curb any further outbreaks.

Weighing in on the issue, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Azodo who is currently overseeing affairs of the Ministry of health following the recent suspension of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okoronkwo, said the health sector has been working hard to keep Abia free from communicable diseases.

However, she explained that the state experienced cholera scare and swiftly swung into action. “The practice,” she said, “is that when there is an alert anywhere in the country, everybody gets ready. So, we also had 112 suspected cases from eight local governments and we swiftly swung into action.

“We, according to the protocol, conducted Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), only three came out RDT positive. So we had to send those three RDT positive cases to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation and we are happy that all three of them came out negative. So we are cholera-free.”

Dr. Azodo assured that the health workers would continue to maintain a high level of alert and surveillance, adding that they were working with all stakeholders, sensitizing the populace to know how to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, use clean water, boil their water before drinking it and to report suspected cases, among others.

“We also as a government provide drinking water in areas where we suspected there may be a problem, like the Cattle Market in Umunneochi local Government Area,” she added.

On the issue of diphtheria, Dr. Mrs. Azodo disclosed that it was the death of three people that actually triggered the alert and health workers who set to work took several people for tests and identified 12 people and treated them.  She said that government has designated the Abia State Teaching Hospital as a treatment crentre “so that when people have any suspected case, the send them to ABSUTH for treatment,” adding that the state government was supporting the hospital by providing whatever they need.

She described diphtheria as a disease which results from failure of immunization. “So, once we had the outbreak, we also activated the Emergency Operation Centres (EOC). What that does is that we are regularly reviewing where we are, that’s part of the heightened surveillance and we review all data coming from all the LGAs. So, we are comfortable with where we are,” the Special Adviser said.

She expressed gratitude to the state’s partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international partners which have been active in the health sector of the State.