Commissioner confirms cholera outbreak in Abia

Abia State Health Commissioner, Dr. Joe Osuji, yesterday, confirmed outbreak of cholera in Amaogwugwu Community, Umuahia North Council, which, he said, has claimed three lives with 16 people hospitalised.

The Commissioner noted that he has, in company of the state Epidemiology Team, visited the community and deployed health officials, as well as drugs to the community to help stabilise affected persons. He promised to continue monitoring the development.

The President General of the community, Kelechi Uwaoma, who corroborated the outbreak, said that while two of the three victims died in their homes, one died in the community health centre, adding that about 16 affected persons were hospitalised and receiving treatment in the health centre and other hospitals in Umuahia.

He disclosed that the cholera outbreak resulted from suspected contamination of Ikwu River, which is the community’s only source of water.