FG probes cholera outbreak in Plateau

Abuja – The Federal Ministry of Health is to
begin investigations into the suspected
outbreak cholera in Namu village in the
Qua’pan Local Government Area of Plateau, an
official of the ministry has said.
Dr Akin Oyemakinde, Chief Consultant
Epidemiologist in the ministry, told the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday
in Abuja that the investigation would determine
the kind of intervention to be deployed to the
community.
“The ministry is already aware of the outbreak
of cholera in Plateau and has sent some team
of experts to carry out proper investigations.
“After the investigation, we will have a
comprehensive detail of the situation and the
necessary interventions deployed to the
areas.’’
Oyemakinde assured that the ministry was on
top of the situation and would ensure that it
curtailed the
spread of the disease.
It will be recalled that an Epidemiologist in
Plateau, Dr Raymond Yuryit, had confirmed the
death of eight people with 61 others
hospitalised since the outbreak of the epidemic
in the state.
Yuryit said those hospitalised had been
diagnosed with the disease and admitted in
various health centres.
He attributed the outbreak to overcrowding,
dirty environment and consumption of
unhygienic food and water. (NAN)