Cholera Outbreak Claims 12 Lives, 308 Hospitalized in Adamawa – Commissioner
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Adamawa state Ministry of Health and Human services has officially confirmed outbreak of cholera disease in the state claiming twelve (12) lives with 308 victims hospitalized.
Commissioner of the Ministry, Mr. Felix Tangwami disclosed the confirmation in a press statement issued in Yola Sunday stressing that, the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC has confirmed to the Ministry indicating that, results of samples sent for verification some have turned positive affirming the out break of cholera.
Tangwami explained that, the samples results released by the National Reference Laboratory, NRL in Abuja revealed that, 30 out of 50 samples were confirmed positive for cholera disease,6 were negative, 2 placed on isolation for observation while 12 are still pending.
“I want to inform you all that, we have received results of samples sent to NCDC for confirmation as to what we are dealing with is Acute watery Diarrhoea or Cholera.
“Unfortunately, out of the 38 samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja, 30 samples returned positive for CHOLERA, 6 came back Negative, 2 still on going isolation, and 12 still pending.
“With these results therefore, I want to confirm to the public that there’s an outbreak of CHOLERA in Adamawa state,and people should be cautious of their movements, interactions,personal hygiene,and the source of water they drink.
“So far,about 308 people were admitted, 244 treated successfully and discharged ,12 deaths were recorded, six (6) at the facility and six (6) at home.However,the public are assured that the Government through it’s Health workers are doing everything possible by the grace of God to contain the situation as done in the past with other similar outbreaks in the state”.The statement assured.
While soliciting for cooperation from the public, Tangwami appeal to people to remain calm and not panic declaring that, the Government has given all the necessary support to ensure this is prevented from spreading to other areas.