HealthNewsNigeriaCholera Outbreak Kills About 12 Persons In Akwa Ibom

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The Akwa Ibom State government has confirmed a cholera outbreak reported in the coastal community of Emeroke, in Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom State has caused the death of about 12 persons including a 72-year-old woman.

Children and teenagers were the worst-hit by the sudden cholera bout before government intervention.

Locals puts the death toll at 12 on Saturday but physicians at Immanuel General Hospital in Eket local government area, where the victims were taken, had put the initial figure at five.

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Patrick Essiet, who confirmed the incident, said emergency health officials from a secondary health facility in the state have been sent to ascertain the exact number of cases and casualties.

He assured that the state Epidemiologist has been sent to the affected community for enlightenment campaigns on measures to mitigate the emergency.

“The Ministry of Health hereby advises members of the community and the environs that as an immediate intervention, proper handwashing should be done especially after defecation; boiling of water before consumption should be given a priority while all persons with symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting should seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility.

“Furthermore, the ministry reminds community leaders to enforce the existing ban on open defecation by the government.

“While the State Government is working on a long-term solution, the ministry is currently mobilising supplies to the community as an immediate and short-term measure,” Dr Essiet.

The Permanent Secretary directed the public to report all suspected cases of Cholera to the director of Public Health at the State Ministry of Health.

A concerned resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the elderly woman, about 70 years old, “died for her refusal to be taken to the hospital for treatment because of her belief in spiritual healing, but repulsive to orthodox medical treatment.

“Her case was very critical because she was stooling and vomiting. We begged her to be taken to hospital but she refused. Unfortunately, she died because she was weak, pale and dehydrated.

“The community has been deserted. Some patients who were admitted in hospital are recuperating while five of them had earlier died,” the source added.

Hassan Umar Shallpella (Regional Correspondent)

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