Cholera Outbreak: Six Dead, Eight Others Hospitalised In Ebonyi

NO fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead and eight others hospitalised following a suspected Cholera outbreak in three communities of Ebonyi State. The communities affected include Edomia, Amachi and Ikelegu.

    The state’s Director of Public Health and Diseases Control, Christian Achi, affirmed that four of the victims died in Amachi, Abakaliki Local Government, while two others died in Edomia and Ikelegu respectively, Ebonyi Local Government Area.

      Describing the situation as unfortunate, Achi said that eight persons were hospitalised and currently receiving treatment in nearby health centres. He stated that the state government health officials had moved into the affected communities and stabilised some of the victims in critical condition.

      Attributing the outbreak to lack of personal hygiene among victims, potable water and toilet facilities, Achi said, “people expose whatever they eat to flies and these flies will perch on them and transmit diseases such as this to them. We are advising people to maintain personal and environmental hygiene.”

      “When the first case was recorded, we instructed that the person should be buried immediately without burial ceremonies, but people did not obey the directive and it affected other victims,” he said.

       According to Achi, most of the victims do not have toilet facilities; as such they defecate around their houses, making it easier for diseases to be transmitted to them.

      He announced the sealing of over 30 houses for lack of toilet facilities, and advised the people to ensure regular hand washing with running water to avoid contracting diseases.