The Federal Capital Territory Health and Human Service Secretariat (HHSS) said it has proactively moved to quell the sudden outbreak of cholera in some suburb and urban slums communities in and around some of the area councils of the territory.
Acting Director of FCT Public Health, Dr Saddiq Abduleaheem said, out of the affected numbers, the territory has recorded no fewer than 36 deaths and the data keep changing as they receive reports on a daily basis from the area councils.
“At the end of this segment, the secretariat has received a call from five area councils. Abaji is the only area council that is not yet reported, which may not be the true picture.”
“The Secretariat has activated emergency operations centre such Health management, ward, Labs and each of this is under the pillar.”
According to the FCT Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Mohammed Kawu, the secretariat has Identified the key stakeholders in the FCT Administration.
Kawu said he has met with the Abuja Environmental protection Board (AEPB), FCT Water Board and the management of FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) to discuss possible solutions toward stopping the outbreak in some affected rural communities in the FCT and also to create an attitudinal change toward proper sanitation, hand wash and good food hygiene that will improve health and well being of citizens of the Federal Capital Territory.
Kawu also made a call during a sanitization advocacy visit to the various agencies, heads and management, aimed at stopping the spread of the outbreak and bring it to an end.
Kawu stressed that Cholera is an acute diarrhoea disease that affects both children and adults.
“It causes nausea, vomiting, watery stools and weakness and could eventually lead to death from dehydration if not properly treated.”
Given an overview of the disease, Dr Theresa Nwachukwu of the public health department said that the disease is caused by bacteria that can be gotten from contaminated water, food or from one thing or the other, causing diarrhoea and vomiting and is sometimes very bad while about 80% of persons affected die if not properly managed.
“About 340 suspected cases, Bwari Area council has about 115 cases, AMAC Gwagwalada has 111cases and report is received on daily basis.
“Some of the hot spots indicate poor water supply communities and the activities of open defecation is taken place there and this bacteria can be washed in the stream water used by this urban slums community”.
Kawu assured the team that the management is on top of the situation and with this approach, the outbreak will be brought to control very soon and will be a thing of the past.
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