A cholera outbreak in Ndibokote village, Ezza Inyimagu, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has tragically claimed 11 lives, including men, women, and a nursing mother, as of September 23, 2024.
The mother’s 9-month-old baby is now left behind after her passing.
Health authorities in the state have launched an urgent response to manage the crisis.
Three treatment centres have been set up in Iziogo Health Center, Sudan Mission, and Onuenyim, providing care for 20 affected individuals who are reportedly responding to treatment.
The Health Commissioner, Dr. Moses Ekuma, urged locals experiencing symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting to seek immediate treatment.
The outbreak has been linked to poor hygiene practices, particularly open defecation and contaminated water sources, as the village depends on streams for drinking water.
Local authorities believe that the burial of a woman suspected to have died from cholera further worsened the situation.
Government officials, supported by agencies like WHO and UNICEF, are actively working to contain the spread of the disease.
A cholera response team has been deployed to the community to aid in efforts to curb the outbreak.
Despite ongoing interventions, there have been concerns from the community regarding delays in response, which many believe could have saved more lives.
