Death toll from Cross River cholera outbreak rises to 51

The death toll in the cholera outbreak in Ekureku, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State has risen from Saturday’s figure of 20 to 51 on Monday.

The clan head of the community, Bernard Egbe, disclosed this when he received the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Sen. Sandy Onor, who was in the community to empathise with them on Monday.

Egbe, who described the situation as unfortunate, said many infected with the disease were receiving treatment at various health facilities in the area.

He stated that four of the victims receiving treatment were in critical condition, adding that the community has been receiving support from WHO, UNICEF, and the Cross River State Government.

He said the cholera outbreak which started on Thursday affected 10 villages that make up the Ekureku community.

On his part, the PDP governorship candidate, while noting that he felt the pains of the people, urged them to remain hopeful.

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Onor said if elected, he would ensure safe drinking water for the people of the state.

He further donated cash as palliatives to all the 10 affected villages in Ekureku community.

However, another outbreak of the disease has been reported in a remote village in Odukpani Local Government Area of the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara,  who disclosed that the outbreak was reported on Sunday night, said the state government has deployed human and material resources to the area.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpeyong, on Sunday, the state government was on top of the situation.

Ekpeyong said the government has deployed human and material resources to curtail the spread of the disease in the state.

The Star