A cholera outbreak in Adamawa State has resulted in 15 confirmed deaths, with over 300 others in hospitals.
Felix Tangwami, the State Commissioner of Health and Human Services confirmed that seven casualties were recorded at government facilities and eight in communities while the outbreak affected local government areas such as Yola South, Yola North, Fufore, and Girei.
The commissioner stated that the Adamawa state government, in partnership with development partners, has secured 200,000 cholera vaccines from UNICEF, and they have taken Proactive measures that will help curb the spread.
He also urged families to invest in personal hygiene and sanitation among other things.
In his words: “We have received results of samples sent to NCDC for confirmation as to what we are dealing with is Acute Watery Diarrhea or Cholera Unfortunately out of the 38 samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory, NRL, in Abuja, 30 samples returned positive for Cholera, six came back negative, two still on going isolation and 12 still pending.
“With these results therefore, I want to confirm to the public that there’s an outbreak of CHOLERA in Adamawa state, and people should be cautious of their movements, interactions, personal hygiene, and the source of water they drink.
“So far, about 308 people were admitted, 244 treated successfully and discharged, 15 deaths were recorded, six at the facility and six at home.
“However, the public are assured that the government through it’s health workers is doing everything possible by the grace of God to contain the situation as done in the past with other similar outbreaks in the state.
“We enjoin the people to continue to pray for us as we face this monster, should remain calm and not panic, cooperate with health workers as they go around to sensitise and give professional advice on how we should conduct ourselves.
“The government has given all the necessary support to ensure this is prevented from spreading to other areas. We shall continue,”
Written by Cheta Enyoghasi
