The Department of Public Health & Human Services Secretariat has reported 91 suspected cases of cholera outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with the death of seven persons.
The Acting Secretary, Health and Human Services, Dr Mohammed Kawu, disclosed this Thursday while briefing the press on the cholera outbreak in his office.
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He explained that the sporadic outbreak in the rainy season could be as a result of the leaching of sewage into drinking waterways or from contamination of food matters by bacteria, that 50 per cent of the cases if not treated could lead to death.
Dr Kawu added that from May 2012, FCT began to receive reports of sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in some communities in the FCT namely; Wassa Community (IDP Camp), Dei Dei, Zuba Community, Shenagun and Kubwa, drawn from three area councils in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja Municipal, Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils.
“As of June 23, a total of 91 suspected cases have so far been recorded with seven deaths in the Municipal and no death in Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils. Out of these, three of the cases tested positive for cholera using the rapid diagnostic test kit.”
He, however, assured residents that the health and human service secretariat through the Public Health has intensified surveillance in the communities and the health facilities have also directed the area councils to do the same respectively.
According to him, “We have prepositioned some rapid diagnostic test kits, drugs and consumables in some of our health facilities that have reported cases and we are in the process of distributing these commodities to the remaining health facilities including some key primary health facilities.”
He added that community sensitisation on preventive measures is presently ongoing.
He, however, urged FCT residents to report any case of diarrhoea disease to the nearest health facility or the Department of Public Health.
“Ensure that the water used for domestic purposes is clean, boiled and or filtered. Ensure that all foods are properly cleaned and well-cooked before consumption. Ensure that waste especially faecal wastes are hygienically disposed of. Improve on general personal hygiene”, Kawu urged residents.
Furthermore, Kawa also assured residents that there’s no evidence of any contamination of water from the water board, he, therefore, called on residents not to panic as the Administration through the Health and Human Service has stepped up its manpower to combat the epidemic.
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