Thursday, September 5, 2024 -The Ministry of Health in Edo State has declared a cholera outbreak, confirming six cases of the disease as of Thursday, September 5.
This was announced by Dr Stephenson
Ojeifo, Director of Public Health in the ministry, during a news conference in
Benin.
Ojeifo revealed that the six confirmed
cases were identified from 40 suspected cholera cases recorded so far. He
stated, “We sent 23 suspected samples that tested positive in the Rapid
Diagnostic Test (RDT) to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for
confirmatory testing. We also have three suspected samples that tested negative
for RDT but showed obvious clinical signs and symptoms.”
He further explained, “The total number of samples sent to the National
Reference Laboratory for confirmatory testing is 26. As of Tuesday this week,
we received 15 results, out of which six were confirmed positive for cholera,
and we are still expecting some outstanding results.”
While awaiting the results, Dr Ojeifo
confirmed that the patients were managed according to cholera management
protocols and have since been discharged. He assured the public, “Fortunately,
we have not had any new cases in the community exhibiting symptoms of cholera.”
According to him, three of the
confirmed cases were from Egor, two from Uhunmwonde, and one from Ikpoba Okha
Local Government Area.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry
of Health has taken further measures to contain the spread. Ojeifo said, “We
are activating all measures to address the outbreak we are currently facing.”
He added that several Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been selected to
manage suspected cases at the grassroots level, while major hospitals like the
University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo
State University Teaching Hospital, and the Central Hospital in Benin City have
been designated as referral centres for severe cases.
Ojeifo urged the public to avoid
self-medication, advising that individuals experiencing symptoms such as watery
stools and diarrhoea should seek immediate hospital treatment. He also called
for calm, encouraging the public to “practise good hygiene and sanitation, and
promptly report suspected cholera cases to the relevant authorities.”
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