From Saka Bolaji, Minna
Commissioner of health, Niger State Dr. Mustapha Jibril, has confirmed that the number of persons affected by the cholera epidemic in the state has risen to 120 across four local governments.
The commissioner however said the death toll still remain at seven which he confirmed on Monday.
He made this disclosure during a briefing on the outbreak in his office in Minna, adding that the affected local government areas include Bida with 74 cases and 7 deaths; Gbako with 15 cases; Lavun, 21 and Katcha, 10.
He also disclosed that some cases of gastroenteritis were also reported in nine local governments of Agaie, Gurara, Lapai, Mokwa, Munya, Paikoro, Suleja, Tafa and Wushishi.
Gastroenteritis is a very common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting like cholera. It’s usually caused by a bacterial or viral stomach bug.
The commissioner said out of the seven persons confirmed to have died as a result of the outbreak, five were children within the ages of nine and 13 years, while the others were adults.
The commissioner disclosed that 20 states in the country and the FCT have reported cholera outbreak so far in 2018 with more than 6, 850 cases and 97 deaths including Niger state.
He said the state government has dispatched outbreak team to the affected area for further assessment and active case search in addition to deployment of rapid response clinical team to assist in management.
He also said the state government is collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF to checking the spread of the of the disease.
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