The Enugu State government has confirmed the death of 10 persons following a cholera outbreak in the state.
The Director of Medical Services in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Egwuonwu Samuel, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the Guild of Medical Directors on Monday in Enugu.
He said the ministry is officially notifying the public about a cholera outbreak in the state and called for swift action to prevent further spread of the disease in the state.
The director said: “Health facilities and medical personnel are advised to maintain a high level of vigilance for patients presenting with symptoms such as acute diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
“We are calling for urgent implementation of heightened Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures across medical establishments to curb the spread of the disease.
“Medical practitioners are urged to step up their precautionary measures and report any suspected cases promptly.
“This outbreak raises significant public health concerns, as cholera is a highly infectious disease, often caused by contaminated water or food.
“The ministry’s swift response is seen as a critical step in containing the outbreak and protecting the population from further harm.”
Egwuonwu, however, appealed to the people of the state to adhere strictly to hygienic practices, such as boiling water before drinking, hand washing, and avoiding the consumption of poorly handled food.