Published Date: 2011-08-22 15:29:48
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Cholera - Nigeria (14): (Oyo)
Archive Number: 20110822.227623
CHOLERA - NIGERIA (14): (OYO)
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Sun 21 Aug 2011
Source: Business Day [edited]
http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/news/76-hot-topic/26313
Cholera outbreak hits Ibadan, 4 dead, 16 hospitalised
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There have been reported cases of cholera in Ibadan North West Local
Government Area of Oyo State, which have left 4 dead and hospitalised
16. Areas affected by the disease are: Ayeye community, Opo-Yeosa,
Idi Ikan, Alawo, Abebi, and Ekotedo communities.
Director of Environmental Services in the council, Olalekan
Olatunbosun, who confirmed the incident, said 4 people had died while
16 had been hospitalized, adding that the worst hit by the epidemic
was Ayeye community. Giving the breakdown, Olatunbosun said 3 adults
(sex not indicated) and a child were, so far, reported dead.
Wasiu Olatubosun, local government caretaker committee chairman,
directed the health and environment management units of the council
to commence a week's intensive assessment and intervention in the
affected areas, so as to determine the cause and extent of the
outbreak. The exercise that started at Ayeye, he said, would cover
the 6 affected communities in the council area.
The affected people that were initially taken to the Ayeye Health
Centre and Oniyanrin Maternity have since been transferred to the
Cholera Unit at the State Hospital, Jericho, and Ibadan. However,
Director of Environmental Services said that lack of toilet
facilities in most of the houses in the affected communities was the
likely cause of the outbreak.
According to him, "When our men went round we found out that most of
the houses do not have toilets and waste bins. Their water sources
must have been polluted because they dumped faeces carelessly all
around their houses."
[Byline: Remi Feyisipo]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
<promed-eafr@promedmail.org>
[Further cases have been reported from the cholera outbreak in Oyo
state. The cases are linked to absence of latrine facilities and
contaminated open water sources. The authorities have therefore
initiated risk assessments as well as outbreak containment needs.
A map showing the states in Nigeria can be seen at
http://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/19ug. - Mod.JFW]