Epidemic (human)

Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, on Monday, said that the cholera outbreak that has ravaged the state since September 24 has recorded 28 deaths out of 386 cases.
Dr. Ekuma revealed the figures during the donation of medical commodities by the governor’s wife, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to the General Hospital in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area (LGA). He noted that about six treatment centres have been designated across the state to tackle the menace.
Ekuma said that most deaths occurred at home before the emergency response team and the ministry were informed, adding that no death has been recorded after the intervention of the government and development partners in the cholera outbreak, which attacked some communities in Ebonyi State.
He noted that they combined both human and material resources to fight the disease, courtesy of the Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and assured that the cholera outbreak has been brought under control.
The Commissioner attributed cholera outbreaks to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper disposal of refuse, among other factors.
He maintained that cholera is an oral disease and not an airborne disease, and advised the people to observe personal and environmental hygiene, as well as report suspected cases for prevention and treatment.
Following the number of infected persons and the death rate, various teams of health practitioners, the World Health Organization (WHO) medical team, Médecins Sans Frontières, known as Doctors Without Borders, alongside medical doctors in hospitals, were on the ground to take adequate care of affected individuals.
On medical commodities from the governor’s wife, he said, “The governor’s wife’s donation, made through her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), included home purification tablets, hand sanitisers, intravenous infusion, and oral rehydration salt.”
The wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Mary Maudlyn Uzoamaka Nwifuru, commiserated with the families of the victims and encouraged them not to lose hope.