Victims of a recent cholera outbreak in Gombe State
Cholera outbreak in Ebonyi claims 9 lives
Nine persons have reportedly died with many others hospitalized following an outbreak of cholera in Akpoha community, Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State.
This incident comes three weeks after a similar incident in Ezillo community in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state which claimed five lives.
In response to the spread, the state government on Sunday organized a State Rapid Response Team to the community to help bring the situation under control.
Chairperson of the local government, Uchenna Ibiam, led the team which comprised staff of the state ministry of Health and that of the National Center For Disease Control (NCDC) to the community.
While addressing the indigenes of Akpoha community, he expressed concern over the unexpected deaths and urged them not to panic as the situation is under control. He also commended the state government for responding promptly especially in sending the Rapid Response Team to assist health workers at Akpoha in containing the situation. He further advised the residents of the area to adhere strictly to medical advice from health professional to stem the outbreak.
Ibiam, who visited the victims at the various health facilities at Akpoha, promised to drill four solar boreholes within 2weeks (two per ward), to enable them have access to clean water.
Mr Ibiam stated that his visit was to serve as a psychological therapy to the people of the area and to assure them of the administration’s readiness for humanitarian interventions to save their children from mortality from cholera outbreak and other diseases.
The indigenes thanked Ibiam for his prompt assessment of the situation and for giving them reasons not to despair.
Relief materials including mattresses, disinfectants and cash were distributed to the people.
