Rivers State Government said it has activated all its emergency response units in an effort to contain the spread of cholera which has claimed 9 lives in the state.
Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Ore who disclosed this at a briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday identified the affected areas as Andoni Local Government Area, where three deaths were recorded, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, which reported six fatalities.
“This is a deeply concerning situation,” the Commissioner said, expressing her condolences to the families of the victims.
“We are investigating what appears to be an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea consistent with cholera in the Isiodun community of Andoni LGA.” she said
The commissioner confirmed that the state had recorded 41 suspected cases of cholera across the two LGAs as at January 13, 2025, adding that the outbreak came to the government’s attention after three deaths were reported in Isiodun within 48 hours.
Dr Oreh said that the symptoms reported aligned with surveillance case definition of cholera,stressing that the state is prone to such outbreaks during the dry season, which poses significant public health challenges, including high morbidity and mortality rates.
“The Rivers State Ministry of Health has launched an emergency response, deploying a rapid response team to the affected areas. Led by the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, the team is working in collaboration with local authorities and health partners to contain the outbreak.
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“We are enhancing disease surveillance, strengthening case detection in health facilities, and ensuring the distribution of lifesaving supplies,” Oreh informed.
She appealed to residents to adopt preventive measures.
“We strongly advise the public to practice proper food hygiene, wash hands frequently with soap and clean water—especially before meals and after using the toilet. Drinking water should be boiled or treated with chlorine, and water from unverified sources should be avoided entirely,” she said.
The commissioner also underscored the importance of early detection, urging residents to seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms, such as acute diarrhoea and dehydration.
