The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the outbreak of a few cases of cholera with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the fishing community of Emeroke in the Eastern Obolo Local Government Area.
This was contained in a statement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Patrick Essiet, on Sunday.
Essiet disclosed that the state epidemiologist had been dispatched to the community already to begin enlightenment campaigns on ways to mitigate the outbreak, adding that health officials have also visited a secondary health facility in the state to ascertain the exact number of cases as a result of the disease.
“The Ministry of Health hereby advises members of the community and the environs that as an immediate intervention, proper hand washing should be done, especially after defecation, that drinking water should be boiled before consumption, and all persons with symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting should seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility.
“Furthermore, the Ministry reminds community leaders to enforce the existing ban on open defecation by the government.
“While the State Government is working on a long-term solution, the Ministry is currently mobilising supplies to the community as an immediate and short-term measure,” the statement said.
It advised the public to report all suspected cases of cholera to the director of public health, Ministry of Health.
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