6 dead, several hospitalised as cholera ravages Delta community

File photo: Children collect stagnant water for use at home in Harare

A cholera outbreak in Aladja, a community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State has reportedly killed six persons, while several others have been hospitalised.


Vanguard learned that the health situation was noticed last week with few persons affected, but that by last weekend, the death toll had risen to six as the disease gained wider spread.

Some of those affected, it was gathered, are receiving medical attention in different hospitals and health centres within Udu, while those with severe cases are hospitalised at the Central Hospital, Warri.

Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Solomon Kpomah, who confirmed the outbreak, said his administration had deployed medical personnel to the community to curtail further spread.
He said: “The state government has also sent its medical team to test and treat those affected. We will continue to carry out sensitisation campaign.

“There is need for a holistic approach by all parties towards curtailing the disease.”
He urged residents to maintain high level of hygiene by disposing wastes properly, warning them also to be cautious of the water they drank and the food they ate.

Local residents had passed initial cases of the disease as a spiritual attack resulting from some grave evil committed in the community, until tests conducted by medical experts revealed that it was cholera.


Source: Vanguard