* urges good hygiene, environmental hygiene
Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta
Following cholera outbreak at Lafenwa area of Abeokuta North local government of Ogun State, the government has confirmed death of five persons as well as 12 reported cases.
It would be recalled that four persons had earlier reported to have died of the outbreak yesterday..
While commenting on the outbreak at a Press conference held at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde disclosed that one person died in the hospital and four in the affected communities.
He listed the communities to include Kuto, Kobiti, Abule - Otun, Lafenwa, all areas of Abeokuta.
Ayinde revealed that eight cases were reported from health facilities and four picked in the communities from retrospective case search and confirmed through laboratory test.
He said the State Epidemiology unit had earlier received a report of laboratory confirmed case cholera from the Federal Medical centre, Abeokuta and swung into action immediately.
The Permanent Secretary said the government is on top of the situation, disclosing that the government has commenced thorough investigation and its currently fumigating the communities to prevent further outbreak.
He revealed that the government had conducted active case search in all health facilities, pharmacy outlets and patient medicine vendors in the affected areas.
Ayinde also added that cholera alert have been sent to all health facilities providing steps to take in case of a suspected case is identified.
He said the State hospital Ijaiye, Abeokuta have been identified as referral centre for treatment and have provided the hospital with materials to manage cases.
His words: " The case (index) is a 33 year- old gravid woman who presented at FMC on referral on the 19th of November from a private facility. She resides in Abule Otun, Lafwnwa, Abeokuta but trades at Kuto Market. Prior to onset of symptoms, she are rice (purchased from food vendor) with pure water at Kuto market."
" There have been prior reported suspected cases of cholera linked to Kuto market but could not be confirmed because they had commenced antibiotics".
He said " A total of twelve cases (index vase inclusive) have been line-listed, eight reported from heath facilities and four picked in the communities from retrospective case search. One death from cases reported in the health facilities and four other deaths in the community that never reported at the health facilities but information gathered from investigation ".
Ayinde said that the government through water corporation would commence screening of local sources of water in the communities.
He however warned the residence of the state to desist from open defecations, saying that any house found without toilet would be sanctioned.
Ayinde appealed to the people to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, urging them to wash their hands after going to toilets.
Answering a reporter's question on how to stop quackery, he said " The state government is on the trail of quacks. We will do more to eradicate quacks. We are doing our best that standard hospitals ".
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