An outbreak of cholera has tragically claimed 11 lives in a community in Ebonyi State. Find out more about the outbreak and the efforts being made to contain it.
Approximately eleven individuals, including men, women, and children, have tragically lost their lives due to a cholera outbreak in Ndibokote village, located in Ezza Inyimagu within the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The outbreak, which reportedly began on Monday, September 23, 2024, has also claimed the life of a nursing mother, leaving behind a nine-month-old infant.
During a rapid response meeting at the Iziogo health center, Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Hon. Commissioner for Health, confirmed the cholera outbreak and reported that approximately nine to ten fatalities have been recorded, with around twenty individuals currently receiving treatment.
He outlined the measures taken to control the situation and expressed gratitude to the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for approving funds for the acquisition of medical supplies necessary for managing the outbreak.
Dr. Ekuma noted that three treatment centers have been established in the region, including the Iziogo health center, Sudan Mission, Onuenyim, and Ndibokote village. He urged the community to adopt preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.
He advised, “If you begin to experience symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, you should promptly visit any of these emergency treatment centers.”
The medical expert emphasized the importance of the emergency response to prevent further fatalities in the area and acknowledged the support from development partners such as WHO and UNICEF.
Additionally, Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi, the Director of Public Health, indicated that the outbreak was believed to have originated from a suspected case related to the deceased woman. He also highlighted that factors such as open defecation and inadequate hygiene practices, along with reliance on stream water for drinking, contributed to the outbreak.
Elder Stephen Nwankpuma, a community stakeholder, mentioned that upon receiving the distress call, he promptly contacted the relevant authorities, which facilitated a swift response from the State Government.
