The most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Cholera cases have continued to be recorded in some states in Nigeria. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, listed Bauchi, Plateau, Kano, Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna as some of the affected states. The Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, said 60 persons died of suspected cholera in six area councils, adding that suspected cases had risen to 698.
An infectious disease expert at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Inanayi Bitrus, described the disease as real in the state. Bitrus, who said he had treated about eight cholera patients since the disease started in the state, added,” Usually, when patients come to the hospital especially in the accident and emergency ward, they present symptoms such as vomiting and passage of loose stool and most times, the presentation is like rice water stool . Rice water stool is associated with cholera.
He said, “We have a few cases in the hospital and we are treating them as they come .The situation here is a little bit worrisome and over the week, we had like five cases. When we have such cases, we usually call the LGA disease surveillance officer who records the situation. But I can tell you that nobody has died from the disease in our hospital.’’
The doctor who said he had handled cholera cases in the past five years said that almost every year, the state battled the disease. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar, however blamed the cholera cases on carelessness and rule violation by the people. Lar added, “At a point ,we invited officials from the NCDC to the state and they did many things to assist us in curtailing the disease .We are working hard to ensure the stoppage of open defecation which is also associated with the disease. Government is doing a lot to address the incident.’’
Since the index case, there have been cases across the state with the cases rising to 322 with 20 deaths within the first one month recorded in Bauchi, Ningi, Warji and Giade council areas. Another factor responsible is environmental pollution caused by indiscriminate dumping of waste by residents on the streets, highways and water channels. Running water then washes the wastes into uncovered wells, streams and rivers where residents fetch for drinking, washing, cooking and other uses without purification.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cholera death toll now 60 in Abuja, others -FCTA - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
Crashed marriage affected me –Uche Iwuji - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
Cops’killings: Soldiers on alleged revenge mission invade Enugu communities, youths flee - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
10 Ogun communities threaten LG poll boycott over road destroyed by dredgers - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
Deceased doctors: FG begins payment of benefits to beneficiaries - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »
Free Igboho, Nigeria inflicting pain on Cotonou, supporters tell Beninise govt - Punch NewspapersThe most widely read newspaper in Nigeria
Read more »