From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Adamawa State Ministry of Health and Human Services has officially confirmed outbreak of cholera disease in the state, which claimed twelve (12) lives with 312 victims hospitalized.
Commissioner of the Ministry, Mr. Felix Tangwami disclosed the confirmation at a press conference in Yola, Sunday.
He stressing that the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has confirmed that results of samples sent for verification indicated that some have turned positive, affirming the out break of cholera.
Tangwami explained that, the samples results released by the National Reference Laboratory, NRL, in Abuja revealed that, 30 out of 58 samples were confirmed positive for cholera disease,6 were negative, 2 placed on isolation for observation while 12 are still pending.
Tangwami announced that the disease was caused by vibrio cholerea organism and victims affected were from four local government areas including Yola North ,Yola South, Girei and Fufore councils respectively.
“I want to inform you all that we have received results of samples sent to NCDC for confirmation. It is clear that we are dealing with acute watery diarrhea or cholera.
“Unfortunately, out of the 58 samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja, 30 samples returned positive for cholera, 6 came back negative, 2 still ongoing isolation, and 12 still pending.
“With these results therefore, I want to confirm to the public that there’s an outbreak of cholera in Adamawa state,and people should be cautious of their movements, interactions, personal hygiene, and the source of water they drink.
“So far, about 312 people were admitted, 244 treated successfully and discharged ,12 deaths were recorded, six (6) at the facility and six (6) at home. However, the public are assured that the government through its health workers are doing everything possible by the grace of God to contain the situation as done in the past with other similar outbreaks in the state”, Tangwami assured.
The Commissioner said a rapid response team from NCDC Abuja is billed to visit the state with a view to complement the effort of the state in curtailing its further spread.
