FOUR persons have reportedly died from suspected cholera outbreak in Yola North local government area of Adamawa State.
Chairman of the local government, Barrister Jibril Ibrahim, confirmed the incident to journalists in Yola on Sunday.
Jibrin listed the affected communities with the suspected outbreak to include Alkawa, Ajiya, and Limawa wards, saying 40 other people are receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Yola.
The LG chairman added that health officials are closely monitoring the situation, and samples collected from the outbreaka have tested positive for Vibrio cholerae 01 serotype at Yola Specialist Hospital.
We need immediate support from the state government and collaboration from the people of Yola North to help health workers in their efforts to control this outbreak
He solicited for community cooperation with health workers, who have begun house-to-house visits to raise awareness and prevent further cases.
“We need immediate support from the state government and collaboration from the people of Yola North to help health workers in their efforts to control this outbreak,” said Barrister Ibrahim.
Residents are also encouraged to follow public health guidelines and report suspected cases as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
When contacted, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Mr Felix Tangwami said samples of acute water diarrhoea has been collected as the state awaits results from National Reference Laboratory.
“We cannot say the state has cholera outbreak, until it is confirmed,” he said.
Tangwami said the suspected patients have been evacuated from to the Specialist Hospital Hospital for treatment.
He added that most of those who lost their lives died before being evacuated to health facilities.
“I have been at the infectious centre, those that lost their lives died not in hospital facilities,” the Commissioner said.
He assured that government is on top on the situation in collaboration with health development partners in health the state.