By Danjuma Williams (Gombe State Correspondent)
Four persons have reportedly lost their lives in Gombe LGA of Gombe State following an outbreak of cholera in the last week.
According to the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, while briefing newsmen on Wednesday evening August 11, 2021, 48 others were also affected. Dahiru said: "twenty-seven cases have so far been confirmed as cholera case and this has necessitated this release".
He said, since the 7th of August, there had been a reported increase in the number of persons presenting complaints of diarrhea and vomiting at the Primary Health Centre, Tudun-Wada, the designated temporary treatment, and rehydration center for cholera in Gombe Local Government Area.
The Commissioner, therefore, declared that "With the threshold of confirmed cases reached, I hereby declare an outbreak of cholera in Shamaki, Bolari-East and Herwagana wards of Gombe LGA.
He explained that the State Ministry of Health had responded to fourteen clusters of Gastroenteritis which are confirmed to be cholera in Balanga. Yamaltu-Deba, Dukku, Akko, and Gombe LGAs but that due to the prompt public health actions, these clusters were mitigated and did not reach the threshold to be declared as cholera outbreaks.
He warned that Cholera is characterized by severe diarrhea and vomiting, and can be rapidly fatal if prompt and urgent actions are not taken toward management of cases and effective infection prevention control.
"I have activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System for a prompt and coordinated response to the outbreak", he said.
He also commended Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for ensuring that all the needed resources for free management of cases at the treatment center and containment of the outbreak were provided.
"I will like to remind the general public that cholera can be prevented by the use of clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals, particularly uncooked food. Personal hygiene and environmental sanitation are also proven preventive measures", he advised. NNL.