No fewer than persons may have died from cholera outbreak in Ekeureku community, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Ten villages in the community have reportedly been affected since Thursday.
Permanent Secretary of the Cross River Ministry of Health, Iwara Iwara, confirmed the outbreak but said he could not give the figure of the death toll.
He, however, assured, that the government has activated a health rapid response team to tackle the outbreak in the community, which is neighbouring Ebonyi State.
One village head, who declined to give his name, said the outbreak was noticed when some villagers started feeling severe diarrhoea and dehydration.
He said the health condition was initially thought to be one of those associated with the dry season.
“We discovered that this time, the disease was spreading very fast and was killing affected persons within few minutes of passing out watery stool.
“As at Saturday, more than 20 persons had died because of suspected cholera in the 10 villages,” he stated.
The village head said the community had sent SOS to some people from the community working in the health sector and that from the feedback so far received, the WHO and UNICEF would soon arrive to contain the situation.
Ekeureku is an agrarian community, which lacks potable water and quality health facilities.
Cholera is an acute illness caused by infection of the intestine with vibro cholera bacteria.
People can get sick when they eat food or drink water contaminated with cholera bacteria. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.
The 10 villages that make up Ekeureku community are: Agbara, Ngarabe, Ekureku-be, Akpoha, Akare-for, Anong, Emenekpon, Etegevel, Egboronyi and Emegeh.
– NAN