Nine people have died from a cholera outbreak in the Andoni and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State.
This was confirmed on Thursday by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, during a media conference.
Dr. Oreh stated that three persons died in the Isiodun community of Andoni LGA while six died in Akuku-Toru LGA within 48 hours, raising the total number of suspected recorded cases to 41 on 13 January.
She acknowledged that through the Ministry of Health, adequate measures have been put in place to tackle this issue.
She said, “With the deepest sense of sympathy to victims of a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea caused by a suspected cholera outbreak, because we at the Ministry of Health are yet to confirm that those deaths were from cholera in the Isiodun community of the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“However, the symptoms of the cases reported are in keeping with the surveillance case definition of cholera.
“Cholera, as we all know, is an acute diarrhoeal disease that is caused by the bacteria ‘Vibrio holerae.’ It thrives in areas with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene wash infrastructure.
While highlighting the means of transmission through consuming contaminated water, she noted that contact with contaminated surfaces from infected persons can lead to transmission.
She stressed the effect of the alarming rate of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera during the dry season, posing a threat to society due to the high mortality rate.
“It was majorly these deaths that were reported and brought to our attention that necessitate the quick response from our directorate of public health and disease control.
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She added, “The state rapid response team led by the Director of Public Health and Disease Control investigated and commenced actions to contain that outbreak.”
In collaboration with some partners, Dr. Oreh revealed that Andoni LGA authority has activated emergency response measures to strengthen surveillance.
She urged members of the public to practice preventive measures such as practicing food hygiene, hand washing with soap, and clean water, particularly before eating and after using the toilet, among others.
“Ensure the safety of drinking water; boil water or treat water with chlorine before it is used. Avoid consuming water from unverified sources and eating unsafe food.
