The Benue State government has recorded 16 suspected cases of cholera in 2024, with four resulting in fatalities. The state Epidemiologist, Dr. Henry Ijabo, disclosed this information to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday.
Ijabo reported that the cases have emerged in three Local Government Areas: Agatu, Otukpo, and Ado. Out of the 16 suspected cases, four deaths occurred while investigations were still ongoing.
“They were not confirmed yet. The four died while we were still investigating. We had one suspected case in Agatu LGA some months ago, but we recorded a suspected case in Otukpo LGA and another nine in Ado,” he explained.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other agencies, is working to cover the entire state, including IDP camps, to manage and contain the outbreak.
Ijabo noted that cholera management primarily involves rehydration. The state government is supporting health facilities with IV fluids, antibiotics, and other necessities for case management, especially in hotspot areas where suspected cases are beginning to emerge.
