The Rivers Order Executive has showed the deaths of 9 folks following a suspected cholera outbreak in two native executive gardens of the shape.
The Order Commissioner for Condition, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, disclosed this on Thursday all the way through a press briefing in Port Harcourt.
Oreh known the affected LGAs as Andoni, the place 3 deaths had been recorded, and Akuku-Toru, which reported six fatalities.
She mentioned that the shape has recorded 41 suspected circumstances within the two LGAs, including that the federal government has taken steps to include the outbreak.
The Commissioner defined that, even if the Ministry of Condition has no longer absolutely showed the deaths because of cholera, the indications align with the surveillance case definition of the weakness.
“With the deepest sympathy to the victims, we are investigating a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea caused by cholera in Isiodun community of Andoni LGA. The symptoms reported are consistent with cholera,” she mentioned.
Oreh famous that cholera, brought about by way of the micro organism Vibrio cholerae, flourishes in gardens with needful aqua, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. The weakness is transmitted thru eating infected aqua or meals and speak to with inflamed surfaces.
She highlighted that Rivers Order is liable to recurrent outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea and cholera all the way through the withered season, which poses important crowd fitness demanding situations because of prime morbidity and mortality charges.
“As of January 13, 2025, we recorded 41 suspected cases in Andoni and Akuku-Toru LGAs, with nine associated deaths. Three deaths occurred in Andoni, while six were reported in Akuku-Toru,” she mentioned.
The Commissioner mentioned that the outbreak was once delivered to the ministry’s consideration then 3 deaths had been reported inside of 48 hours in Isiodun society on January 11.
The Order Ministry of Condition, in collaboration with companions and the Andoni LGA government, has activated situation reaction measures to take on the outbreak.
Oreh viewable {that a} shape fast reaction workforce, led by way of the Director of People Condition and Weakness Regulate, has been deployed to the affected gardens.
The workforce has enhanced surveillance, reinforced case detection in fitness amenities, and supplied very important provides to the communities. This contains the distribution of oral rehydration answers, intravenous fluids, and very important drugs to fitness centres.
The Commissioner steered citizens to undertake preventive measures to curb the unfold of the weakness.
“The public is strongly advised to practise proper food hygiene, wash hands frequently with soap and clean water, especially before eating and after using the toilet. Drinking water should be boiled or treated with chlorine, and water from unverified sources should be avoided,” she instructed.