Cholera claims 9 lives in 5 Yobe LGAs

The Yobe Government said a total of 132 cases of cholera were recorded in the state as at September 25, out of which nine were reported dead.

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Dr Mohammed Gana, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, stated this in a statement in Damaturu on Friday.

He said the cases were reported in Gubja, Fune, Machina, Nangere and Nguru Local Government Areas.

Gana said, ” No fewer than 112 patients were treated and discharged, while nine others, representing 6.8 per cent, sadly died due to the delay in accessing medical services.”

The commissioner said the disease was confirmed after samples of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) patients were earlier tested at the National Disease Control Centre ( NDCC) and the University of Maiduguri.

“ It has now been confirmed that some of the cases were due to Vibrio cholera, the bacteria that causes cholera.

“ With the current heavy rainfall and consequent flooding, a lot of road networks in the state have been damaged.

“Potable water supply is disrupted, which is compounded by contamination of the water sources in these areas, subsequently resulting in upsurge in cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD).

“ This is compounded by difficulties in delivery of services to those locations,” he said.

Gana appealed to all the critical stakeholders to support the state in its bid to stem the tide of the disease.

“ This declaration, therefore, is a clarion call on all the health sector partners, religious and traditional leaders as well as the citizens to join hands with the state government and its agencies to curb the menace of cholera.

“ At this point, I urge all our international, national and local partners to bring their full expertise to support the cholera response effort in the state,” the commissioner appealed.

NAN/Wumi