BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The acting Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Dr Richard Nnabu, has confirmed the recent outbreak of cholera in Amachi – Igwebuike village, Agba community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, stating, however, that the situation has been brought under control.
The Commissioner, who briefed journalists after the visit by the state epidemiologists to the area, said three deaths had been recorded while 12 suspected cases were being treated at the Agba General Hospital.
According to him, sensitization and enlightenment had been given to the people of the area on how best to prevent the spread of the disease, including, keeping the environments clean and hygienic, drinking safe water and good preservation of food items.
Nnabu attributed the three deaths to the patients’ refusal to go for treatment at the hospital.
He directed that those on admission should be treated free of charge and announced that the people should report any suspected case of cholera outbreak to the nearest health facilities or the General Hospital, saying that drugs were available for the treatment.
Meanwhile, the head of the Amachi Igwebuike village, Nkwegu Moses, has attributed the causes of the outbreak to non availability of portable water in the community.
He said that the villagers go as far as Onicha Local Government Area of the state to get drinking water. As a result of this, he said that the people resort to using pond water for drinking and for other domestic chores.
He urged the government, cooperate bodies, Non Governmental Organisations and philanthropists to come to their aid through provision of hygienic water.
