By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi state government on Wednesday promised to work with relevant agencies to ensure provision of portable water in communities within the state to ensure that diarrhoea disease is reduced to the barest minimum in the State.”
Confirming the cholera Outbreak in three communities in Kogi, Lokoja and Ankpa local government areas of the state in a press release signed by the State Epidemiologist, Dr Austin Ojotu un behalf of the state Commissioner of Health on Monday said Diarrohea/vomiting have been reported in some Communities in five local government areas.
“It has become very important for us as a Ministry to brief the press on the outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting suspected to be cholera in some Local Government Areas of the State in recent time”
Among the affected local government areas according to the release are: Kogi, Bassa, Lokoja, Ankpa and Kabba Bunu between February and August, 2021, recording 129 cases, 66 persons affected while 8 deaths have been recorded.
“We were able to confirm cholera in three of the communities in Kogi, Lokoja and Ankpa LGAs with 66 persons affected and 8 deaths (CFR=12.12%).These are Border Communities with hard to reach terrains.”
“It is important to mention at this point that most of the deaths have occurred before the reports got to the !ocal government/state authorities. Our findings also revealed that majority of the deaths in all the outbreaks occurred at home.” the statement added.
The release pointed out that the state is working closely with the local government to avert further outbreaks by strengthening and sustaining community sensitization and mobilization as the State Ministry of Health has also supported the outbreak response with technical and response commodities.
“The sensitisation would ensure that Communities adopted health safety measures such as good personal and environmental hygiene, washing of hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet, avoid open defecation, boiling of drinking waters and proper cooking and handling of food and vegetables before eating as these measures are very key in preventing diarrhoea diseases.”
Kogi promised that Government would also collaborate with critical stakeholders and partners to ensure that no single individual dies of preventable disease in the state.
