From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Executive Chairman of Izzi Local Government Area, Mr Steven Nwankpa has warned the people of Ndibokote Ezzainyimegu to suspend the proper burial ceremony of the victims of cholera which had claimed many lives.
This is even as the number of death rose to 15 since Wednesday when the outbreak occurred in Ndibokote village in Ezza-Inyimegu community.
Addressing the people, Mr Nwankpa, who commended health partners for their support, described the incident as shocking and appealed to residents to suspend giving ceremonial burial to any deceased person until the surge is put to rest, while ensuring that they maintain proper personal hygiene.
Commissioner for Health, Mr Moses Ekuma, who confirmed cases of the viral disease, said three emergency centers have been designated for the treatment of victims, adding that vehicles and motorcycles have equally been made available to convey cholera patients to the hospital.
A stakeholder from the community, Elder Stephen Nwamkpuma linked the outbreak to some members of the community who brought home some pieces of beef from a burial ceremony in Benue community and after eating it, they started vomiting resulting to the spread of the disease.
The village head, Chief Lazarus Iziogo, who thanked the state government for their quick response, urged Governor Francis Nwifuru and the member representing Ezzainyimegu in the House of Assembly to come to their rescue by building motorised boreholes in the community, as they have been relying on pond and stream water despite the outbreak.
