C’River health ministry confirms cholera outbreak in two communities

Cross River State Ministry of Health has informed the public of the recent cholera outbreak in Obubra and Biase local government areas of the state.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, who disclosed this at the weekend, said that Biase and Obubra are the two local government areas that had recorded cases of cholera in the state so far.

The commissioner announced that the health ministry activated the Emergency Operations Centre and State Epidemiologist while Dr. Blessing Ekpenyong was appointed as incident director to handle coordination.

Dr. Ayuk further said that response commodities, including drugs donated by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have been put in place by the surveillance unit and logistic management coordinating unit of the state ministry of health and positioned in the affected local government areas and wards.

He further disclosed that the local government area rapid response team had also been deployed in the affected wards for proper investigation so as to curtail the spread of the disease.

Urging the public to strictly adhere to all preventive measures against the disease by avoiding contaminated drinking water, food and unripe fruits, the commissioner assured that the state’s rapid response team will be deployed in any affected area if new cases are reported.

The Emergency Operation Centre is chaired by the Commissioner for Health, with members, including the ministry’s permanent secretary, director public health, state’s epidemiologist and the nine pillars of incident management, case management, risk communication, health promotion, research, infection control and surveillance, as well as partners UNICEF and World Health Organisation.