By Patrick Ochei
Delta State commissioner for health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has listed eight local government areas which are high risk zones for cholera outbreak in Delta state.
He listed them to include Warri South West, Warri South, Warri North, Burutu, Bomadi, Ughelli North and Ughelli South. He added that the first breakout was discovered in Warri South West where 138 cases were discovered.
He made the revelation at a press conference organized by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, to enable the health commissioner give update on the interventions of the state government to the media.
He said eleven cases were discovered in Bomadi and one in Oshimili south. He added that the disease has an incubation period of 12 days, noting that staying with an infected individual could lead to contamination.
Dr Onojaeme while giving an update on the epidemic, said the first outbreak was in mid February at Warri South-West LGA with seven deaths, majorly children before the second and third outbreaks, thereby bringing the number of local government areas with cases of outbreaks to eight.
He further said that cholera is a bacteria infection spread by the consumption of infected water and food; and results in watery stool, dehydration and electrolyte.
The health commissioner affirmed that the state government’s intervention is adequate, but however, advised on the need for regular hand washing, intake of potable water and maintenance of clean and hygienic environment.
According to him: “We have done so much to respond to the challenge with a view to controlling it through the Epidemiology unit of the Health Ministry. We don’t quarantine Cholera patients because the disease is not airborne, but we treat victims and advise them to avoid the risk factors.
“We are continuing our control process with adequate advocacy. Cholera is a national outbreak which gives the intervention approach a national importance. So, we are doing our best to curtail it on all sides”, the Commissioner said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza had said that due to the tight schedule of the Commissioner for Health, it would be difficult for him to address the concerns of every journalist individually, hence the need for the press conference to enable him give a comprehensive update on the Cholera outbreak to the public.
He therefore, urged all and sundry to support the effort of Government to achieve a holistic result in terms of defeating the scourge.
Cholera has a 12 days incubation period, and within this period, a victim that is without a symptom can still spread it to others. However, regular habit of hygiene can help to contain it.
ADDITIONAL REPORTS BY AUSTIN OYIBODE
