From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has confirmed no fewer than 265 cases of cholera-caused gastroenteritis in at least thirteen local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ali Muhammed Inname, disclosed this while briefing reporters in Sokoto.
Inname also confirmed that the disease claimed the lives of 23 persons since its latest outbreak in the state.
He said the state ministry of health has set up two different teams to monitor and advised members of the public on the dangers of the disease.
According to Inname, ‘we have a case management team where doctors will be going round to take care of health workers as well as an environmental response team who are to go round and educate those in the rural areas on how to engage and treat their water.
‘The ministry wants to inform the general public that there is an outbreak of gastroenteritis in many states in Nigeria including Sokoto State.
‘The state has been doing a lot to curtail the situation since January this year, which is the reason why there was no escalation of cases until of recent.’
He linked the recent escalation to the rainy season where he named the following local governments as the affected ones with one or more cases.
The commissioner listed affected councils to include Rabah, Wurno, Shuni, Kebbe, Gwadabwa, Tangaza Local Government Areas.
Others were Isa, Bodinga, Wamakko, Silame, Illela, Sabon Birni and Yabo local government while Gwadabwa local government is the worst hit among the affected local government areas of the state.
Inname advised members of the general public to reduce visitation especially to the sick at this period so as to discourage the continued spread of the disease.
He also advised health workers especially in the rural areas to stop the treatment of patients in their homes but rather refer such to the nearest health facility for proper handling.