Seven persons including a two-year-old child have been confirmed dead due to recent the cholera surge in Gombe State.
Recall that cholera was first announced in Yalmatu Deba LGA, and the state was certified free in March 2021 by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control following the treatment and recovery of patients with no death recorded.
Briefing journalists on the resurgence of the outbreak in Gombe, Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru blamed the situation on the rainy season, adding that the state recorded 32 cases with six still on admission.
According to Dahiru, “With the threshold of confirmed cases reached, I hereby declare an outbreak of cholera in Garko Ward of Akko LGA. So far, 32 cases have been treated and discharged, six are currently on admission. The public health emergency operations centre of the state ministry of health received a surveillance report of suspected cases of cholera and the death of a two-year-old child in Kalajanga Village, Akko LGA.
“A rapid response team was deployed immediately, cases were confirmed in the laboratory and a free treatment centre for cases was established at Bogo Model Primary Health Centre.
“The onset of the rainy season at times heralds the period for cholera outbreaks attributable to drinking contaminated water. Cholera is characterized by severe diarrhoea and vomiting and can be rapidly fatal if prompt and urgent actions are not taken towards the management of cases and effective infection prevention control. It is easily spread in the community if control measures are sub-optimal.”
While appraising the measures put in place to prevent a possible reoccurrence, Dahiru revealed that the ministry of health has activated a multisectoral approach Incident Management System.
He added, “You may recall that a similar mechanism was used for the success recorded by the state in controlling a similar outbreak in Liji community in March this year.
“I will like to remind the general public that cholera can be prevented by the use of clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals, particularly uncooked food. Personal hygiene and environmental sanitation are also proven preventive measures.”
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