Cholera outbreak in Ebonyi, Nigeria claims 20 lives

No fewer than 20 persons lost their lives following cholera outbreak in seven Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.

The State Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Chris Achi, who made this known in Abakaliki, said the outbreak was recorded in Abakaliki, Izzi, Ebonyi, Ohaukwu, Ishielu, Ezza North and Ohaozara Local Government Areas.

According to him, 10 undergraduates of the Ebonyi State University were affected by the disease, out of whom one died, while 15 students of Girls’ High School, Azuiyiokwu, who were also affected, had been taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, for medical attention.

He also disclosed that the outbreak was recorded in 12 Apostle College, Sharon and Annunciation schools, St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki. Achi, who was a former Commissioner for Health in the state, explained that those who died, though on self-medication, had renal breakdown before being taken to hospitals for medical treatment.

He discouraged people from defecating indiscriminately around their vicinities and drinking contaminated water, while calling on those seeking house as tenants to ensure they live in houses that have toilet facilities.

Achi further enjoined the people to ensure personal hygiene and desist from eating foods which preparation they were not sure of .the disease.