Cholera kills 11 in Benue

A suspected cholera outbreak in the Apaogbozu community of Agila district in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State has resulted in 11 fatalities, with six others in critical condition.

Dr Perpetual Okafor, the immediate past secretary of Ado Local Government Council, told newsmen in Makurdi on Monday that the outbreak began four days ago and escalated quickly, with the death toll rising daily.

“Three people died on the first day, followed by four more yesterday, and today, we’ve lost an additional four people. Six others, who attended a church service, have also fallen severely ill and are currently unable to leave the church. We are in a desperate situation,” she lamented.

She said efforts to hire private medical personnel to assist the affected individuals have been hampered by a lack of resources.

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In response to the outbreak, Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, said health officials are actively assessing the situation.

He noted that samples are being collected for testing to confirm whether the illness is indeed cholera. “At present, it is a suspected case, and our public health team is conducting surveillance in the area,” Dr Ortese stated.