Cholera Outbreak: 10 Confirmed Dead, Poor Hygiene Blamed

September 26, 2024 EMMANUEL ADEBAYO AJIBOLA

Ten people die as a result of a cholera epidemic in Ebonyi.

Atleast 10 people have been reported dead due to a cholera outbreak in Ndibokote village, Ezza Inyimagu, Agbaja community, Izziogo local government area, Ebonyi state. On Thursday, the commissioner of health, Moses Ekuma confirmed the outbreak and death in an interview with the Nation. He revealed that over 20 people from the local government have been hospitalized of the disease.

He said infected persons were rushed to three hospitals, Sudan United Mission Hospital, Onuenyim Agbaja, Sudan United Mission Hospital Izziogo and izziogo Health Centre in the area by the state government in collaboration with the local government and health partners.

The Commissioner, however, attributed the outbreak to unhealthy practices and advised people to improve their hygiene by avoiding open defecation, washing their hands regularly, covering their food, and drinking clean water

The chairman of the council, Stephen Nwankpa appreciated the government’s quick response that saved many infected people. He recounted the outbreak to a woman’s burial that occurred the previous week. He mentioned that the outbreak resulted from the dog meat eaten by those who first fell ill.

“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 a boundary with Benue state.

He added “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 “

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