Edo State Announces Outbreak of Cholera
Edo State has announced that it is presently suffering a severe outbreak of cholera.
The announcement was made by The Ministry of Health in the state on Thursday.
The Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Stephenson Ojeifo, reveaed in a news conference in the state capital, Benin, that it had already recorded six cases of the disease on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
He noted further that there were 40 suspected cases of cholera recorded in the state.
“We sent 23 suspected samples that tested positive in the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmatory testing. We also have three suspected samples that tested negative for RDT but showed obvious clinical signs and symptoms.
“The total number of samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory for confirmatory testing is 26. As of Tuesday this week, we received 15 results, out of which six were confirmed positive for cholera, and we are still expecting some outstanding results.
Dr Ojeifo revealed that the patients have been taken care of as per cholera management protocols and have already been discharged.
“Fortunately, we have not had any new cases in the community exhibiting symptoms of cholera,” Ojeifo said.
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He noted that, of the 6 recorded cases, 3 came from Egor, 2 from Uhunmwonde, and 1 from Ikpoba Okha Local Government Areas.
Dr Ojeifo assured that the Ministry has put in place measures to check the spread of the disease.
“We are activating all measures to address the outbreak we are currently facing,” he assured.
At the grassroots level, he disclosed that Primary Health Centres (PHCs) will manage the suspected cases, while the serious cases will be referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State University Teaching Hospital, and the Central Hospital in Benin City.
The Director frowned on self-medication, urging those suffering symptoms like watery stools and diarrhoea to head to the hospital, instead, for proper diagnosis..
