Cholera Outbreak Rocks Ebonyi State, As It Claim 10 Lives

By Akinwale Kasali

The Cholera outbreak in Ebonyi State has led to the death of 10 Persons, it was gathered in Ndibokote village in Ezza-Inyimagu, Agbaja Autonomous Community, Izzi Local Government Area of the State.

According to the State Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, the outbreak has cost the lives of 10 persons, with over 20 other persons from the area have been hospitalised for suspected cholera infection.

Ekuma confirmed the outbreak, saying that infected persons were rushed to three hospitals in the area by the State Government in collaboration with the Local Government and health partners.

The hospitals include: Sudan United Mission Hospital, Onuenyim Agbaja; Sudan United Mission Hospital Izziogo and Izziogo Health Centre.

The Commissioner blamed the outbreak on poor hygienic practices by the people, urging the people to be conscious of their environment by making it clean at all times.

He urged them to adopt good hygienic practices such as stoppage of open defecation, washing their hands regularly, covering their food and drinking clean water.

Stephen Nwankpa, Chairman of the Council, appreciated the State Government for swift response which he noted saved many infected persons.

Nwankpa said that most death recorded last week and within the week were as a result of the Cholera outbreak.

He said: “There was a burial there last week and also there were others who went and ate dog killed in the area, People who went to the burial and those who ate the dog were the main people who first got sick.

“Those who went to the burial ate a cow that was killed and prepared in a very dirty environment. Their community is located in the remotest part of the state. In fact it shares boundary with Benue State.

“There is no good source of water in the area. The only borehole in the area is no longer functional. The only source of water there now is a pond or stream and it is very dirty.

“The situation is worsened by the heavy rain falling this period which flowed into the stream carrying all the wastes with it and probably contaminating the pond,” he said.

Cholera is an acute bacteria disease, that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration has been ravaging Ebonyi State for decades.