Cholera kills 20 in Rivers

Sampson Parker, the commissioner for health in Rivers state has said that cholera outbreak in 11 communities in the state has claimed 20 lives.

Parker told journalists in Port Harcourt after visiting the affected communities in the Andoni local government area of the state that the outbreak was reported on January 5.

“So far, 171 cases have been recorded with 20 deaths in the outbreak which was reported on January 5,” he said.

“The Local Government Area Rapid Response Team with State Emergency Response Team, have responded swiftly.”

Parker also said two treatment centres had been opened in the affected communities to manage cases and advised affected people to access the centres.

He added that the situation was pathetic and unbelievable but said that it was under control and that government had provided portable drinking water to the affected communities.

“Emergency drugs and rehydration fluids have been provided for the management of cases,” he said.

“What I have seen is pathetic and unbelievable. Our duty is to intervene quickly so that we do not lose more lives.

“I will say that the outbreak is under control now. All we need to do now is to treat the affected ones and to prevent further occurrences. We will continue to deploy to treat the affected ones.

“Government is also sending portable drinking water to the affected communities.”

Akinloye Makinde, the chief consultant epidemiologist, federal ministry of health, said the ministry sent him to the state to assess the situation.

“The Federal Government is donating drugs and test kits to the State Government to deploy to places in need’’, he said.

Sylvester Malemi, World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator for Rivers, said WHO would provide technical support to Rivers to check the outbreak.

“We are here to investigate the outbreak, confirm that there is actually cholera, mobilise resources from partners, federal and state ministries of health to stop the outbreak”, he said.

Malemei advised the people to boil their water before drinking and maintain good hygiene.