Fifteen persons have been confirmed dead following with many hospitalised since the outbreak of cholera in Izzi local Government Area of Ebonyi State two days ago.
The Chairman, Izzi Local Government Area, Mr Steven Nwankpa has banned the people of his council from any form of burial ceremonies for the victims.
The Chairman gave the charge to the people of Ndibokote Ezzainyimegu, on Friday.
Recall that the pandemic broke out in the Ndibokote village in Ezza-Inyimegu community of Izzi Local Government Area on Wednesday and by Thursday, recorded 11 cases which increases to 15 today.
Addressing the people, the Council Chairman, Mr Nwankpa while commending the Commissioner for Health Dr Ekuma Moses, and other health practitioners for their support described the incident as shocking and appealed to residents of the area to suspend giving ceremonial burial to any deceased person until the surge is put to rest while ensuring that they maintain proper personal hygiene.
In his part, the state Commissioner for Health, Mr Moses Ekuma, said that three emergency centers have been designated for the treatment of victims adding that vehicles and motorcycles have equally been made available to convey cholera patients to the hospitals.
A stakeholder from the community, Elder Stephen Nwamkpuma linked the outbreak to some members of the community who brought home some pieces of beef from a burial ceremony in the Benue community, and after eating the meat, the people started vomiting resulting in the spread of the disease.
The village head, Chief Lazarus Iziogo who thanked Ebonyi state government for their quick response urged the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, and member representing Ezzainyimegu in the state House of Assembly to come to their rescue and build motorized boreholes in the community.
According to him, the community relies on pond and stream water despite the outbreak.
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