The Akwa Ibom State Government has issued a public health alert following a cholera outbreak in Emeroke, a community within Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. The outbreak, characterized by severe diarrhea and vomiting, has reportedly resulted in an unspecified number of fatalities.
Sources reveal that health officials from a secondary health facility in the state have been deployed to the affected community to confirm the extent of the outbreak and assess casualties.
In a statement made available to The Trumpet, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Essiet, confirmed the outbreak. He disclosed that the state epidemiologist has been dispatched to Emeroke to conduct enlightenment campaigns aimed at educating residents on preventive measures and reducing the spread of the disease.
Dr. Essiet’s statement emphasized the urgent need for residents to adopt precautionary measures. He advised the community to prioritize proper handwashing, especially after defecation, and to boil drinking water before consumption. Residents experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting were urged to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility.
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The Ministry of Health also reminded community leaders to strictly enforce the government’s ban on open defecation, a practice linked to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera. While the state government works on long-term solutions to improve sanitation and water supply in the region, immediate relief materials and medical supplies are being mobilized for the affected community.
The government has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cholera cases to the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health.
This latest outbreak has reignited discussions on the state’s public health infrastructure and the urgent need for enhanced sanitation and hygiene practices in vulnerable communities. Residents of Emeroke and neighboring areas are advised to cooperate fully with health officials to prevent further spread of the disease.
