The Akwa Ibom State government has confirmed the emergence of several cholera cases in Emeroke, located in the Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
Dr Patrick Essiet, the Permanent Secretary of the State’s Ministry of Health, revealed this in a statement on Sunday. He noted that health officials had visited a secondary health facility in the region to assess the precise number of reported cases.
Additionally, Dr Essiet stated that the state Epidemiologist had been dispatched to the affected community to conduct awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to educate residents on measures to curb the outbreak, which has manifested symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
The statement added, “The Ministry of Health hereby advises members of the community and the environs that as an immediate intervention, proper hand washing should be done especially after defecation, that drinking water should be boiled before consumption and all persons with symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting should seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility stated.
“Furthermore, the Ministry reminds community leaders to enforce the existing ban on open defecation by the Government.
“While the State Government is working on a long-term solution, the Ministry is currently mobilising supplies to the community as an immediate and short-term measure.”
The public has been urged to report any suspected cases of cholera to the Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health.
