by Laiatu Augustine Bamaiyi.
A cholera outbreak in Kebbi State has tragically claimed the lives of 24 individuals, with 875 cases reported across ten local government areas.
The Director of Public Health at the State Ministry of Health, Abubakar Bagudu Muhammad, addressed the media regarding the alarming situation, highlighting that Suru local government area alone accounts for 13 of the recorded fatalities.
Muhammad attributed the outbreak to a combination of factors, including inadequate environmental sanitation, flooding, limited access to clean water, and open defecation.
In response to the escalating crisis, the state government is implementing a series of measures to combat the spread of the disease.
To bolster efforts, the Ministry of Health is actively training clinical personnel to prepare for potential future outbreaks.
Additionally, the government said it has mobilized essential resources and financial support, collaborating with donor agencies such as WHO, SAN Frontier, and UNICEF to ensure that victims receive adequate medical care.
In a bid to enhance public awareness, the state government is also partnering with traditional and religious leaders, as well as local healers, to educate the community on preventive measures against cholera.
These initiatives aim to curb the outbreak and protect the health of residents in Kebbi State.