Ebonyi State has recorded 28 deaths and 386 infection cases since the cholera outbreak on September 24 in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, who disclosed this during the donation of medical commodities by the governor’s wife, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to the General Hospital in Iboko, Izzi local government area, said most deaths occurred at home before the emergency response team and the ministry were informed.
Ekuma attributed cholera outbreaks to contaminated water, poor sanitation and improper disposal of refuse, among other factors.
He said about six treatment centres had been designated across the state to tackle the outbreak.
According to the commissioner, “The governor’s wife’s donation, made through her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), included home purification tablets, hand sanitisers, intravenous infusion, and oral rehydration salt.”
Ekuma commended the governor’s efforts against the epidemic.
Mrs Nwifuru, while making the donation, commiserated with families of the victims and encouraged them not to lose hope.
She noted that the visit aimed to identify factors contributing to the spread of the disease.
“The sight of these people battling cholera is a reminder that we must do more to protect our communities from infectious diseases,” she said.
Project Medical Referral of Doctors-without-Borders, Daniel Hernandis, decried the outbreak’s level, stating that over half of the cases were recorded in the Izzi LGA.
Hernandis appreciated the support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and healthcare workers on the frontlines.
