The Ebonyi State government has announced that 28 people have died since the outbreak of cholera in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, said the state has recorded a total of 386 cases since September 24, 2024.
Mr Ekuma said this while addressing journalists during the donation of medical commodities by the governor’s wife, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to the General Hospital in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
According to Mr Ekuma, most deaths occurred at home before the emergency response team and the ministry were informed.
He attributed cholera outbreaks to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper disposal of refuse, among other factors.
To tackle the outbreak, Mr Ekuma said about six treatment centres have been designated across the state.
He said the donation, made through Mrs Nwifuru’s 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.
He commended the governor’s wife’s efforts against the epidemic.
Mrs Nwifuru, while making the donation, commiserated with the 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.
Also, Daniel Hernandis, the Project Medical Referral of Doctors-without-Borders, decried the outbreak’s level, stating that over half of the cases were recorded in Izzi Local Government Area.
Mr Hernandis appreciated the support from the World Health Organisation and healthcare workers on the frontlines.
