Cholera outbreak kills four more persons in Rivers State

An outbreak of cholera has claimed four lives and is causing a major health crisis in Unyeada Community, Andoni Council Area of Rivers State.

No fewer than 20 cases of cholera, an acute diarrheal disease that could kill within hours if left untreated, have so far been reported in Unyeada Community.

Head of the facility at the Unyeada Model Primary Health Centre, Dickson Okwagwunu, disclosed this while receiving drugs and medical supplies from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Okwagwunu said so far, cholera had killed four persons in Unyeada alone since the recent outbreak in Andoni communities.

While commending the NDDC for the medical palliatives and its prompt response to the health crisis in the area, he blamed the development on lack of access to potable water, which usually causes cholera outbreak.

He explained that NDDC’s assistance would help in alleviating the suffering of victims and assist the health teams to check its spread to other communities.

Chairman of Unyeada Community Development Union, Rev. Isaiah Martin, expressed the community’s gratitude to the NDDC for its quick intervention and appealed for more assistance in equipping the health centres in the area.

Martin further pleaded with the commission and relevant authorities to take necessary steps to tackle the water problem in the area.

Presenting the items, NDDC Acting Managing Director, Dr. Joi Nunieh, said the palliatives were part of the commission’s efforts to improve health services in rural communities of the Niger Delta region.

Nunieh, who was represented by NDDC Director Special Duties, Mr. Seigha Glasgow, she said the commission could not afford to hesitate in responding to the cholera outbreak in order to save lives in the affected communities.

She noted that the Interim Management Committee of NDDC was adopting a quick intervention strategy to address development and health challenges before they worsen in rural communities.

NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Peter Edieya, said the medical consumables included cholera vaccines, several cartons of de-worming tablets, anti-biotic capsules and pediatric medicines, among others.

He explained that the drugs were handed over to medical officers at the Unyeada health facility for distribution to affected communities due to availability of cold chain storage at the health centre.

No fewer than 10 persons had reportedly died from the cholera outbreak in Ngo, headquarters of Andoni Council earlier in the month, comprising children, women, and men.

Residents of the area have complained that they have been drinking water contaminated with soot and crude oil.