THIRTEEN persons have been confirmed dead following a cholera outbreak in Ebonyi and Izzi local government areas of Ebonyi State.
Ten persons were confirmed dead from the disease a few days back.
But while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health Moses Ekuma said three more deaths have been recorded and about 69 cases reported.
Akuma said that others affected are responding to treatment at the different treatment centres activated within the communities affected in Ebonyi and Izzi local government areas.
According to him, the state government’s swift response and approval of Governor Francis Nwifuru to procure medical commodities were important steps made in addressing the outbreak.
The commissioner encouraged residents to report any suspected case to the ministry’s health center for disease control and accredited local health facility for guidance and updates on prevention and treatment while urging the residents to practice preventive measures
Open defecation and poor hygiene have been attributed to the outbreak of the disease, as most communities get drinking water from streams.
