From Our Correspondent
Fresh cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of 10 persons in Ebonyi State.
The affected areas include Ndibokote village in Ezza-Inyimagu, Agbaja Autonomous Community, both in lzzi Local Government Area.
This was confirmed yesterday by the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma.
According to the commissioner, over 20 persons from the area have been hospitalised for suspected cholera infection.
Ekuma stated that the infected persons were rushed to three hospitals by the state government in collaboration with the local government and health partners.
He listed the hospitals to include Sudan United Mission Hospital, Onuenyim Agbaja; Sudan United Mission Hospital Izziogo and Izziogo Health Centre.
The commissioner, who expressed dismay over the outbreak, blamed it on poor hygienic practices by the affected areas.
He urged them to adopt good hygiene practices such as stoppage of open defecation, washing their hands regularly, covering their food and drinking clean water.
Chairman of the council, Stephen Nwankpa thanked the state government for the swift response which he noted saved many infected persons.
A member of the community, Stephen Nwankpuma linked the death to the burial of a woman last weekend.
“There was a burial there last week and there were others who ate a dog killed in the area. People who went to the burial and those who ate the dog were the main people who got sick.
“Those who went to the burial ate a cow that was killed and prepared in a very dirty environment. Their community is located in the remotest part of the state. In fact it shares boundary with Benue State.
“There is no good source of water in the area. The only borehole is no longer functional. The only source of water there is a pond or stream and it is very dirty.
“The situation was worsened by the heavy rain which flowed into the stream carrying all the wastes with it and probably contaminating the pond,” Nwankpuma said.
Cholera is an acute bacteria disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, it has been ravaging Ebonyi for decades.
