10 die of cholera in Gombe
Story from Najibullahi ADAMU, Gombe
No fewer than 10 people have died of a cholera outbreak and 236 others were infected as the epidemic rocked Gombe State.
Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu, disclosed this while addressing journalists on the outbreak of the disease in the state on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru.
Shuaibu said as of 20th September this year, the number of the cases increased to 236 noting that last year, the state recorded a total of 2, 373 cases of the disease in three outbreaks within that year.
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“This year, from 30th of June, we had sporadic cases of cholera in Balanga local government area and because of the preparedness and prompt response, it has been largely subdued without escalation.
“We are witnessing an increased downpour of rainfall, resulting in flooding in many parts of the state and this has resulted in cases of cholera outbreaks in eight wards across Balanga, Yamaltu-Deba, Nafada, Funakaye and Gombe local government areas.
“The State Ministry of Health has promptly initiated public health actions for prevention and control of cholera. As of 20th September 2022, there were an increased number of cases in Gombe State, 236 cases have been line listed so far, “he said.
Shuaibu said the ministry of health had activated an incident management system for control of cholera at the Primary Health Emergency Centre in the state and established 13 cholera treatment units across the five affected local governments for the management of cases free of charge.
He added that a house-to-house sensitisation and distribution of water treatment tablets in all affected communities would be conducted.
This is even as he stated that contamination of affected wells and boreholes in communities would be checked.
In the prevention of the disease, Dr Abdulrahman advised that the use of clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals particularly uncooked food, and personal and environmental hygiene were proven preventive measures against the disease.
While noting that cholera is characterised by severe diarrhoea and vomiting, he said it could be rapidly fatal if prompt actions were not taken towards managing the cases.
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