Ten persons have lost their lives following a fresh cholera outbreak in Ndibokote village of Ezza Inyimagu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deceased comprised men, women and children.
The health disaster broke out on September 23, 2024 and claimed the life of a nursing mother who left behind a nine month old baby.
Speaking during the rapid response at Iziogo health center on September 25, 2024, the state Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma confirmed the cholera outbreak and disclosed that 10 deaths have been recorded while about 20 affected persons were responding to treatment.
He enumerated the effort they have made to bring the condition under control and appreciated the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru for approving fund for the procurement of medical commodities for the outbreak.
While Ekuma said that three treatment centers including Iziogo health center, Sudan Mission, Onuenyim and Ndibokote village have been established in the area, he advised the people to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Urging residents for precautionary measures, Ekuma said, “Once you start having symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting or even any sign, you should rush to any of these emergency treatment centers.”
The medical expert revealed that they embarked on emergency response to avoid further loss of lives in the area and lauded development partners like WHO and UNICEF for their support.
In his remarks, the Director, Public Health, Hyacinth Ebenyi said that though they believed that the outbreak was as a result of suspected case from the woman who was buried, open defecation and poor hygiene contributed to the outbreak of the disease as they get their drinking water from streams.
On his part, a stakeholder in the community, Stephen Nwankpuma said that immediately he got the distress call, he called relevant authorities which led to quick intervention of the state government.
Earlier, a community health worker and the owner of God’s Healing Clinic, Maduabuchi Nwokpuru narrated that the affected people brought to his facility were stooling and vomiting profusely adding that they worked assiduously to save their lives.
He pointed out that some cases were referred, some cases lost and few were responding to treatments.
