At least, 10 persons have died of cholera outbreak in Ndibokote village, Ezza-Inyimegu in Agbaja autonomous community, Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State.
A member of the community, Stephen Nwankpuma, attributed the deaths to the burial of a woman last weekend.
He noted that there was a burial last week and that those who attended the event, ate cow killed in the community, noting that those who ate the cow were the main people who first took ill
“Those who went to the burial ate a cow that was killed and prepared in a very dirty environment. Their community is located in the remotest part of the state. In fact it shares boundary with Benue State.
“There is no good source of water in the area. The only borehole in the area is no longer functional. The only source of water there now is a pond or stream and it is very dirty.
“The situation is worsened by the heavy rain falling this period which flowed into the stream carrying all the wastes with it and probably contaminating the pond,” he said.
Chairman of the local government, Steven Nwankpa has ordered that all the infected persons should be moved to Sudan United hospital in the local government
He commended tte state government for swift response which he noted saved many infected persons.
Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma confirmed the outbreak and the deaths.
Ekuma revealed that over 20 other persons from the area have been hospitalised for suspected cholera infection.
He said infected persons were rushed to three hospitals in the area by the State Government in collaboration with the Local Government and health partners.
The hospitals include: Sudan United Mission Hospital, Onuenyim Agbaja; Sudan United Mission Hospital Izziogo and Izziogo Health Centre.
The Commissioner blamed the outbreak on poor hygienic practices by the people.
He urged them to adopt good hygienic practices such as stoppage of open defecation, washing their hands regularly, covering their food and drinking clean water.
