The Gombe State Government has confirmed the deaths of seven people due to the outbreak of Cholera in Kalajanga Village and Garko Ward of Akko Local Government Area of the state.
Briefing Journalists in Gombe, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, said so far 32 cases had been treated and discharged, while six others were still on admission receiving treatment.
Dr Dahiru said ”the Cholera outbreak was confirmed after a laboratory test confirmed the sample of a two-year-old child in Kalajanga Village, Akko Local Government Area had cholera.”
Surveillance report
He said the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre of the Ministry received the surveillance report of the suspected case and the Rapid Response Team was immediately deployed, which subsequently confirmed the case, after a laboratory test.
Dr Dahiru said; ”a free treatment centre for cases had been established at the Bogo Model Primary Health Care centre.”
The Gombe State Commissioner of Health said the ministry had also activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System for a prompt and coordinated response to the outbreak.
He reminded the public that Cholera can be prevented by using clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals, particularly uncooked food, while encouraging personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to prevent cholera.
Dr. Habu said; ”Cholera is characterised by severe Diarrhoea and vomiting, which can be fatal, if prompt and urgent actions were not taken toward the management of cases and the effective prevention control, its spread becomes easy in an area.”
