At least 11 persons have been confirmed dead in a suspected cholera outbreak in Apaogbozu community, Ado local government area of Benue State.
The former secretary of Ado LGA, Dr. Perpetual Okafor, confirmed the news to journalists on Tuesday.
She said six others are in critical condition in hospitals in the area.
Okafor said: “The first day that the cholera outbreak occurred, three deaths were recorded. Yesterday (Monday), about four persons also died and today, this evening, we have lost four persons again.
“As I speak with you, six others who went for church service yesterday were caught in the web.
“I am calling on the Benue State government and other public-spirited individuals to come to our aid so our people will not be completely wiped away by this dreaded disease.”
The state’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, also confirmed the incident.
He was however silent on the number of casualties.
“The Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly drew my attention to it today at about noon of a cholera outbreak in one Apaogbozu community.
“I called the emergency operation center in the ministry to verify if the claim is true and they told me there is one suspected case.
“From what they said, the person is having diarrhea and is also vomiting. They will move quickly and take samples to see if it’s cholera or not,” the commissioner stated.