By Correspondent in Lokoja
Diarrhea has hit Kogi, Bassa, Lokoja, Ankpa and Kabba Bunu Local Governnent Areas of Kwara, leaving 8 persons dead between February and August, 2021, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, has disclosed.
Audu made the disclosure on Wednesday in a statement signed by Dr Austin Ojotu, the
State Epidemiologist and made available to Journalists in Lokoja.
The Commissioner said:”Seven communities were affected in the aforementioned LGAs with 129 cases.
“However, we were able to confirm cholera in three of the communities in Kogi, Lokoja and Ankpa LGAs with 66 persons affected and 8 deaths (CFR=12.12%).These are border communities whose terrains are hard to reach, “Audu said.
Audu stressed that most of the deaths occurred before the reports got to the local government/state authorities, adding that findings also revealed that majority of the deaths, in all the outbreaks, occurred at home.
” In all the cases, the State Ministry of Health has supported the outbreak response with response commodities and technical support.
” The state is working closely with the local government to avert further outbreaks by strengthening and sustaining community sensitization and mobilization.
” This is to ensure that communities adopt health safety measures such as good personal and environmental hygiene, washing of hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet,”he said.
The Commissioner also urged the public to avoid open defecation,ensure boiling of drinking water, coupled with proper cooking and handling of food as well as vegetables before eating, adding that such measures were very key in preventing diarrhea.
“People with diarrhea and vomiting are encouraged to visit the nearest health facility, as soon as they notice symptoms,” he further advised.
He expressed the continued commitment of the state government in collaborating with critical stakeholders and partners to ensure that no single individual dies of preventable disease in the state.
The Commissioner also promised that government would continue to work with relevant agencies to ensure provision of portable water in communities to reduce diarrhoea to the barest minimum.
According to health experts, diarrhea depicts loose, watery stools that occur more frequently than usual and usually caused by a virus, or sometimes, contaminated food.
They added that less frequently, it can be a sign of another disorder, such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
