In Delta State, a cholera outbreak has tragically claimed the lives of seven children across eight local government areas.
Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, the Delta State Commissioner for Health, announced this distressing news in Asaba on Tuesday, attributing the deaths to a lack of proper sanitation practices.
He emphasized the importance of regular handwashing, consumption of clean drinking water, and the maintenance of hygienic living environments in combating the spread of the disease.
Cholera is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted through contaminated water and food, leading to symptoms such as profuse watery diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
While noting that the state government has implemented robust intervention measures, Dr. Onojaeme clarified that individuals infected with cholera are not isolated since the disease is not airborne.
Highlighting the 12-day incubation period of cholera, he stressed the significance of practicing good hygiene to prevent its further spread within communities.
Dr. Onojaeme reassured the public that the state’s Health Ministry, particularly the Epidemiology Unit, is actively engaged in containing and managing the outbreak.
Addressing the media, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, the Commissioner for Information, underscored the importance of transparency in providing updates on the cholera situation to the populace.
He called upon residents to collaborate with the government in its efforts to eradicate the disease and achieve a successful outcome.