At least 10 fatalities have been recorded in Enugu State following a cholera outbreak.
Dr Egwuonwu Samuel, the Director of Medical Services, State Ministry of Health confirmed the deaths in a letter addressed to the Guild of Medical Directors, on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, on Monday.
According to Egwuonwu, the ministry is officially alerting the public to a cholera outbreak in the state, prompting swift action to prevent further spread of the disease.
Raising alarm about reports of several cholera cases in the state, he disclosed an estimated 10 fatalities thus far, adding that the Ministry and its partners had begun efforts to contain the outbreak.
“Health facilities and medical personnel are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance for patients presenting with symptoms such as acute diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
“We are calling for urgent implementation of heightened Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures across medical establishments to curb the spread of the disease.
“Medical practitioners are urged to step up their precautionary measures and report any suspected cases promptly,” he said.
Egwuonwu also said:“This outbreak raises significant public health concerns, as cholera is a highly infectious disease, often caused by contaminated water or food.
“The Ministry’s swift response is seen as a critical step in containing the outbreak and protecting the population from further harm.”
Egwuonwu, however, appealed to the public to adhere strictly to hygienic practices, such as boiling water before drinking, washing hands frequently, and avoiding the consumption of poorly handled food.
He said the state government is expected to release further guidelines and updates as the situation unfolds, while efforts to mitigate the outbreak continue in collaboration with local and international health partners.
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