By Cecilia Ogezi
No fewer than five people have lost their lives, several others hospitalized in Katcha Local Government Area (LGA) communities following the outbreak of cholera in the area while there are also fears that the disease has spread to Paiko, Paikoro LGA.
Apart from Katcha, Paiko Modern Clinic, according to news findings there have been influx of patients with complications suspected cases of cholera disease as the management of the hospital already allocated a ward to the affected patients.
Though the head of the facility declined comments, a healthcare worker, told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity that the facility have recorded at least four new cases and numbers of deaths already as at today (Wednesday).
Reports suggests that the disease outbreak may not be unconnected with lack of pipe borne water as the people depend on seasonal river flows and dug wells for both domestic and commercial water needs.
Relatives of patients at the Paiko health facility recalled what they go through sourcing for water to bathe the patients, wash their clothes and also meet other sanitary needs.
The Permanent Secretary, Niger state Ministry of Health, Dr. Muhammad Gana confirmed the outbreak but could not account for the number of deaths, said some health personnel with drugs have been dispatched to the affected areas to contain the situation.
He said, “The ministry has already the dispatched a team of health professionals with commodities to curtail the outbreak”.
Meanwhile, there are fears that the disease will spread beyond Paiko and Katche as unconfirmed reports had it that the state have no cholera vaccines.
Gana however observed that the ministry is yet to be officially communicated to by the local government health authorities.
While attributing possible cause of cholera outbreak to poor hygiene, Dr. Gana who called on citizens to take personal and environmental hygiene very seriously said cholera is water and sanitation related issues.
