By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Despite the increasing cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria, there is also a surge of cholera in riverine communities in Nigeria.
In Abinsi Town in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, no fewer than four persons have died as a result of an outbreak of cholera, the Nation reported on Wednesday.
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The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Joseph Ngbea, who led other health officials to the community to assess the situation, advised riverside communities to avoid drinking water directly from rivers and streams to avoid an outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Dr Ngbea warned residents against drinking water from contaminated sources, even as he encouraged them to always boil their water before drinking.
He urged them to use water guard to purify drinking water. Those with cases of vomiting and stooling, he said, should visit hospitals without delay for medical attention.
He directed that 10 extra beds be supplied to the treatment centre at the Benue University Teaching Hospital to contain the increasing cases of cholera outbreak and deployment of paediatrician to monitor the protocol of dehydration for effective handling of the cases.
Chief Nursing Officer Primary Health care Centre Abinisi Mrs Janet Adzuu admitted that with the drugs received, they can manage the cases better, even as she expressed her gratitude to the Commissioner for the response while the Medical Officer of Vyonku Clinic and Maternity Dr Jibaniya Vyonku said the facility has recorded 25 cases, discharged 17, lost three and five were on admission.
Medical commodities such as Ringer Lactate IV fluids, Canula, Doxycycline and Cypro antibiotics, Zinc tablets, water guard, ORS, adhesive plaster, rolls of cotton wool and packs of syringes to the Abinsi PHC were presented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Sir Andrew Amee and Director of Public Health Dr Terna Kur.
According to a report in June, last year, five persons died after a cholera outbreak hit about 10 communities in Delta and Bayelsa states.
Community leaders believe the deaths resulted from drinking polluted water and eating fishes, which died from pollution.
According to High Chief Augustine Seibi who spoke to newsmen said, “Some deaths have occurred in several communities because of this pollution.
‘’In Sokoh, for example, we lost three persons (Johnson Pabebe, Adoere Epreyofie, and Pa Ogbuma Ingologolo).
‘’Ekeremor Federated Communities also lost Ekerenwei Igenisuode and his wife, Yeikonne.
“They died of cholera, which resulted from the polluted water we drink and dead fish. That is why we need a cottage hospital and government’s intervention to allay the hunger and hardship facing us.”
Seibi said the communities had reasons to believe oil companies were responsible for the pollution.
“It is their explorative activities, as in most oil spills, that could contaminate the waters occasioning the death of fishes and other aquatic organisms.’’
In Ebonyi, it was reported last year in April that 68 persons were treated for Cholera.
The Commissioner for Health, Daniel Umezuruike, in a statement in Abakaliki, said that 68 persons were successful treated and discharged in Ameku, Okposhi in Ngbo, Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state where the outbreak was recorded.
According to him: “In Ameku, Okposi Ward 11, Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state where we have an outbreak of cholera that has affected 68 people.
‘’So far, all the patients have been successfully managed and discharged home, the only person that died was the index case that was brought from another village where someone is said to be a patent medicine dealer and he attends to people and the mother was staying with him and all of a sudden, they reported that the mother died and they brought her to their village and buried.
