Published Date: 2011-02-11 13:03:14
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Cholera - Nigeria (03): (Kogi)
Archive Number: 20110211.218069
CHOLERA - NIGERIA (03): (KOGI)
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Fri 11 Feb 2011
Source: AllAfrica, Daily Trust (Nigeria) report [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201102110300.html
The Kogi State government says it has deployed health officers to communities affected by the recent cholera outbreak in the state.
The state's Commissioner for Health, Mrs Dorcas Onunmiya, who spoke to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday [10 Feb 2011], said the officers were already working at Ettehi, Edegaki, Gabareke, and Ekedakpo
communities in Kogi Local Government Area of the state. The officers, the commissioner said, were specifically assigned to enlighten the people of the affected communities on good hygiene.
Onunmiya, who said she had personally visited the affected communities, appealed to well-to-do individuals and the local government authorities to provide potable water and latrines for the
communities.
She added that the state government had concluded arrangements to sink boreholes in the affected communities as an immediate measure to prevent further spread of the disease.
So far 17 people were reported to have died of the disease in 6 communities of Kogi Local Government Area.
[Byline: Isiaka Wakili]
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Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
[This report highlights a new outbreak of cholera in 6 communities of Kogi Local Government Area, where the authorities appear to have initiated a swift and prompt response to halt the spread of the outbreak. Health care workers have been deployed to improve management of cases and hence prevent further deaths beyond the 17 cases reported here. Additionally, sensitisation of communities on hygiene and sinking of bore holes to improve access to safe water
have been initiated.
A map showing the states in Nigeria can be seen athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_Nigeria and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the country can be seen at
http://healthmap.org/r/0sST. - Mod.JFW]