Cholera Claims Three Lives In Niger Community

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal infection, at the weekend broke Sosa, a community in Lavun Local Government Area (LGA), Niger state, clamming at least three persons within 48 hours.

Apart from the death cases, THISDAY findings revealed that three other patients in critical conditions had been admitted at the primary health centre in the village .

THISDAY learnt that one of those in “very critical condition” was also rushed to the general hospital in Bida, where he is receiving medical attention.

When contacted yesterday, the Director of Primary Health Care Department, Lavun LGA, Mrs Fatima Isah confirmed the incident yesterday, noting that the local government had deployed health personnel to the affected area since the outbreak was reported on Thursday.

Isah said the cause of the outbreak was yet unknown, though advised the people to live in clean environment and consume properly washed fruits and treated water.

The director, also, disclosed that officials of the state epitomical unit would visit the community this weekend for surveillance and advocacy.

The outbreak came as the state capital enters the third week without potable water. Virtually all homes are now depending on rainwater for their consumption and other domestic use.

THISDAY checks revealed that the situation “has also led to a marginal increase in the cost of satchet water with a bag now sold for N120 as against the previous price of between N90 and N100.”

Although the Niger State Water Board had not given any reason for the scarcity, THISDAY findings revealed that new reticulation being carried out in some parts of Minna metropolis could be responsible.

No official of the board was available for comment.

In a related development yesterday, the Gombe State Government has evacuated its indigenes studying the University of Jos (UNIJOS) due to communal and ethnic conflict ravaging the state.

The students, THISDAY findings revealed, returned to the state in four buses with heavy security escorts, which the state government provided.

This was sequel to the directive of the state governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya mandating that the evacuation of the students safely.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Ibrahim Njodi instructed the Hon. Commissioner for Higher Education, Meshack Locu to immediately facilitate and monitor the safe return of the students.

The commissioner led other government officials yesterday to receive the returning students with the assurances of Governor Yahaya’s resolve to safeguard all citizens of Gombe State wherever they are.