Plateau records 20 cholera cases, 2 deaths

Dr Cletus Shurkuk, Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, has said the state had recorded 20 cases of cholera, resulting in two fatalities.

Shurkuk said, the confirmed cases were reported in Kwalmiya community, Kanam Local Government Area (LGA).

According to Shurkuk, 16 individuals have received treatment and been discharged, while the remaining two patients are responding to treatment and are expected to be discharged soon.

The commissioner said the Ministry of Health had robust epidemiological surveillance systems in place to monitor cholera cases and educate the community on prevention methods.

Shurkuk highlighted that the community relied on only one functional well, with two non-functional boreholes.

However, he said the Ministry had collaborated with the Local Government to repair the non-functional solar boreholes.

According to him, cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

“It’s a disease of poverty affecting people with inadequate access to safe water and basic sanitation.

“Cholera can be prevented with improvements in water and sanitation, and hygiene practices.

“By implementing these measures, the risk of cholera transmission can be significantly reduced.”