Cholera Epidemic in Plateau Claims Five Lives, Infects At Least 11 Others

Dr Nicholas Baamlong, the Commissioner for Health in Plateau, has announced that the state has confirmed 11 cases of cholera, with five fatalities and 53 suspected cases.

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These cases were identified in the communities of Pushit, Mangu 1, and Mangu 2, all located within the Mangu Local Government Area, as disclosed by Baamlong on Sunday in Jos.

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The state Ministry of Health is stepping up its public health interventions to curb the outbreak and mitigate its effects on the affected communities, according to Baamlong.

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To control the outbreak, the state has taken decisive measures, including deploying additional Response Teams to the affected areas, expanding treatment centres and isolation capacity, and procuring Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits, intravenous fluids, and essential medications.

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The Ministry of Health has activated an Incident Management System for a comprehensive response to the outbreak, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response structure aligned with national and international emergency response frameworks.

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According to Baamlong, the activation of the Incident Management System guarantees a unified and accountable response to the outbreak.

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Dr Baamlong explained that cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by the consumption of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

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Residents of Mangu LGA and surrounding communities have been advised to exercise caution and take preventive measures, including consuming safe water, practicing proper hand hygiene, avoiding open defecation, and ensuring proper waste disposal.

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Dr Baamlong also urged residents to promptly report any suspected cases of cholera to the nearest healthcare facility for immediate attention.

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The state government's commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its residents was reaffirmed by Baamlong, who also called on development partners and stakeholders to support the ongoing response efforts.