About 12 persons including a 72-year-old woman have died from cholera outbreak reported earlier in the week in the coastal community of Emeroke, in Eastern Obolo local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
Locals put the death toll at 12 on Saturday but medics at the neighbouring Immanuel General Hospital in Eket local government area, where the victims were taken, had put the initial figure at five.
Children and teenagers were the worst-hit by the sudden cholera bout before government intervention.
Those affected where diagnosed with the ailment following notable symptoms including severe stooling, vomiting and general body weakness.
A concerned resident, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity explained that the elderly woman, about 70 years old, “died for her refusal to be taken to the hospital for treatment because of her belief which was heavily tilted to spiritual healing, but abhorrent to orthodox medical administration.
“Her case was very critical because she was stooling and vomiting. We begged her to be taken to hospital but she refused. Unfortunately, she died on Tuesday because she was weak, pale and dehydrated.
“The community has been deserted. Some patients who were admitted in hospital are recuperating while five of them had earlier died,” he recalled.
The state government had sent emergency health officials from a secondary health facility in the state to ascertain the exact number of cases and casualties.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Patrick Essiet, who confirmed the incident, assured that the state Epidemiologist has been sent to the affected community for enlightenment campaigns on measures to mitigate the emergency.
“The Ministry of Health hereby advises members of the community and the environs that as an immediate intervention, proper handwashing should be done especially after defecation; boiling of water before consumption should be given a priority while all persons with symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting should seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility.
“Furthermore, the ministry reminds community leaders to enforce the existing ban on open defecation by the government.
“While the State Government is working on a long-term solution, the ministry is currently mobilising supplies to the community as an immediate and short-term measure,” he stressed.
He directed the public to report all suspected cases of Cholera to the director of Public Health at the State Ministry of Health.