Cholera kills eight, 25 hospitalised in Anambra

THE dreaded disease, Cholera, has hit Anambra claiming the lives of eight persons while 25 others had been admitted in various hospitals in the state, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, has said.

  Akabuike, who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen yesterday in his office while receiving over 25 cartons of drugs donated by Superior Pharmacy, Lagos, said that four communities in Anambra West Local Council were affected, adding that the quick intervention of the ministry and its team of medical officers have stabilised the situation.

  He said: “The people living in the area have been adequately sensitised on how to beat the epidemic, which he said, is mostly water-borne. So far, 25 people, mostly children that were infected, are in stable condition and had been moved out into safety areas.

  “It is a water-borne disease, and mostly affects areas where their source of drinking water is contaminated. The best advice at this time is for families to ensure that their source of drinking water is okay, and when it is not, they should endeavour to boil it before drinking.

  “We also advised families to ensure cleanliness and proper disposal of faeces as flies can perch on them and also perch on their foods, leading to contamination.”

  While receiving the drugs worth over N4 million donated by the CEO, Superior Pharmaceutical Company, Lagos for the treatment of infected persons, Akabuike said such gesture would help the state to contain the challenges of cholera outbreak in the state.

  The Human Resources Manager of the organisation, Miss Ruth Harrison, said the company decided to complement the efforts of the governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, is containing the cholera epidemic in the state, more so as the proprietor of the company is from Anambra State.