Cholera outbreak increases in Abuja as 60 persons reported dead

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

The death toll in Abuja communities affected by cholera has now risen to 60.

Minister of State in the FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, stated this on Thursday while holding a sensitization on cholera and other severe acute diarrhoea diseases outbreaks in Pyakasa and Gwagwa respectively.

She assured that it has intensified community sensitization on cholera and other severe acute diarrhea disease outbreaks in the territory.

It added that cases of Cholera infections have now risen from 604 to 698 within 72 hours.

The minister who was represented by the Acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Iwot Ndaeyo, noted that Abaji Area Council recorded three suspected cases with no death; Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) recorded 281 suspected cases with 22 deaths, while Bwari Area Council recorded 134 suspected cases with 22 deaths.

Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Mr Austin Elemue in a statement said Gwagwalada Area Council recorded 220 suspected cases with nine deaths, Kuje Area Council recorded 23 suspected cases with four deaths and Kwali Area Council recorded 37 suspected cases with three deaths.

Aliyu, however, vowed that this ugly trend was unacceptable in the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the administration would not fold its hands and watch residents die helplessly over preventable diseases.