Cholera Outbreak Hits Ebonyi, Kill Six, Eight Hospitalised

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Friday, February 20th, 2015

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Abakaliki – The deadly Cholera disease that has been ravaging parts of Nigeria, has hit Ebonyi state, killing six persons, while eight others have been hospitalised.

African Examiner reports that the epidemic hit three communities in the State.

The state Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Christian Achi, who confirmed the outbreak, named the affected communities to include Edomia and Ikelegu in Ebonyi Local Government Area, as well as Amachi in Abakaliki Council Area.

According to him, four persons died in Amachi, Abakaliki council area while two died in Edomia and Ikelegu in Ebonyi council area.

The health official hinted that eight persons had been hospitalised and were currently receiving treatment in nearby health centres.

He however, described the situation as unfortunate.

Achi said government health officials had moved into the affected communities and stabilised some of the victims who were in critical condition.

He attributed the outbreak to lack of personal hygiene, potable water and toilet facilities.

“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 the people did not obey the directive and it affected other victims.

“The people expose whatever they eat to flies and these flies will perch on them and transmit diseases such as this to them.”

He further explained that most of the people affected did not have toilet facilities as they defecate around their houses, which makes it easier for diseases to be transmitted.

Achi said the state government had sealed over 30 houses for lack of toilet facilities.

He advised the people to ensure regular hand-washing with running water to avoid contracting diseases and make use of health facilities provided for them by the government whenever there was outbreak of any endemic in their localities rather than resorting to self medication or delay in accessing the facilities.