Cholera outbreak claims four in Gombe

William Attah, Gombe

An outbreak of cholera has claimed the lives of four persons with 48 others affected in Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State in the last one week.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru disclosed this to newsmen Tuesday evening during a press briefing adding that “twenty-seven cases have so far been confirmed as cholera and this has necessitated this release”.

Dr Dahiru said, since 7th of August, there had been a reported increase in the number of persons presenting complaints of diarrhea and vomiting at the Primary Health Centre Tudun-Wada, the designated temporary treatment and rehydration centre for cholera in Gombe Local Government.

The Commissioner therefore declared that, “With the threshold of confirmed cases reached, I hereby declare an outbreak of cholera in Shamaki, Bolari-East and Herwagana wards of Gombe LGA.

He explained that the State Ministry of Health had responded to fourteen clusters of Gastroenteritis which are confirmed to be cholera in Balanga, Yamaltu-deba, Dukku, Akko and Gombe LGAs but that due to the prompt public health actions, these clusters were mitigated and did not reach the threshold to be declared as cholera outbreaks.

He warned that Cholera is characterized by severe diarrhea and vomiting, and can be rapidly fatal if prompt and urgent actions are not taken toward management of cases and effective infection prevention control.

“I have activated a multi sectoral Incident Management System for a prompt and coordinated response to the outbreak”, he said.

He also commended Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for ensuring that all the needed resources for free management of cases at the treatment centre and containment of the outbreak were provided.

“I will like to remind the general public that cholera can be prevented by use of clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals, particularly uncooked food.

“Personal hygiene and environmental sanitation are also proven preventive measures”, he advised.