CRS Government intervenes in cholera outbreak
Emmanuel Alfred
The Cross River State Government has stepped in to control the epidemic caused by cholera outbreak in Ekeureku community, Abi Local Government Area of Cross Following reports of River State at the weekend.
News broke out on Friday that the community had lost more than twenty persons to the disease; a report the State Government confirmed on Saturday but said it has intervened to bring normalcy to the the community.
The Director General of the State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong spoke to some Journalists on Sunday in Calabar informing them of the swift response by the government to salvage the situation.
The incident occured on Thursday, December 15, 2022 and was said to have escalated after the consumption of contaminated water from the village drinking source.
Ekpenyong, who said she had visited the Community and the health facilities where those affected are recuperating, regretted the unfortunate incident which she said would have been averted if simple protocols were taken into consideration.
She said prior to her visit, the State Government had deployed a response team together with representatives from the World Health Organization, the Nigerian Red Cross and Wash Program who had intervened accordingly, and rescued many lives.
“The State Government finds this incident quite unfortunate and sympathize with families who have been affected.
“Because of how fast the transmission rate of cholera is, we have recorded deaths with many other victims hospitalized in various government owned facilities and graciously, responding to treatments.
“We are applying every possible means to hault transmission as we have gone across the community sensitizing the people on the possible ways of managing the disease as well as speaking to the community leaders to support the state Government by lending their voices to ensure their communities adhere to hygiene protocols to end cholera and other related illnesses.” she explained.
She added that samples had been taken and sent for confirmation, while treatments of the water source and fumigation is on course.
