Fresh Cholera Outbreak Claims 5 Lives In Gombe

A fresh outbreak of cholera has killed five people, leaving 16 others hospitalised at the Primary Health Centre, Kembu in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Confirming this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, the state Acting Epidemiologist, Dr Nuhu Bile said 70 patients were treated and discharged, while five people died before the state Rapid Response team alongside World Health Organisation (WHO) visited the scene.

According to him, the fresh outbreak has brought the number of cholera mortality to 13, with no fewer than 500 patients treated and discharged in the last five months in Yamaltu-Deba, Funakaye Gombe.

Attributing the cause of the outbreak to the damaged five hand pumps in the community which forced people to seek an unsafe alternative source of water, Bile advised residents to “Enhance environmental and personal hygiene, boil water from the well before drinking.

“You must also ensure you properly wash uncooked food like fruits with salt or potash before eating,” Bile advised.

Meanwhile, five other water wells found to be contaminated in the state, have been sealed to prevent further spread of the disease.