Cholera kills seven people in Enugu

Ikechukwu Obi, Enugu commissioner of health, says seven people have died of Cholera around New Artisan market in the state.

In a statement on Friday, Obi said 19 other people had symptoms of the infection and were taken to the Enugu teaching hospital.

The commissioner said contact tracing and risk assessment have commenced at the market and its environs in an effort to curb the spread of the infection.

“The Enugu State Ministry of health received reports of deaths occurring suddenly, after a short spell of illness, on Friday morning, the 16th of July 2021 around the New Artisan livestock market in Enugu, Enugu State,” he said.

“Upon immediate investigation by the Ministry of Health’s rapid response team, it was observed that the patients presented with sudden onset of passage of loose stool and vomiting. It was revealed that the illness had resulted in the death of seven persons, and that subsequently, several others numbering about 19 were ill with the same symptoms of loose stools and vomiting.

“The ill persons identified within the area were immediately and safely evacuated to the state teaching hospital and are receiving treatment, while health education on safe and hygienic practices were given to the inhabitants of the market.

“Further tests carried out by the State Ministry of Health at the teaching hospital revealed that all the persons were suffering from Cholera. Samples were collected for further confirmatory tests of this finding.

“Surveillance, contact tracing and risk assessment have commenced at the market and its environs, while the Enugu State Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre for Cholera outbreak response will be activated on Saturday 17th July 2021.”