Photo: Gov Lalong
No fewer than 17 persons have died of cholera in Plateau State, while the disease has spread to 13 out of the 17 local government areas of the state, Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar, has said.
The affected local government areas, he said, are Jos North, Jos South, Riyom, Kanam, Bokkos, Wase, Mangu, Bassa, Jos East, Barkin Ladi, Qua’anpan, Langtang North and Shendam.
According to the Commissioner who gave the details in an interview on Monday, a record 1,004 suspected cases have been confirmed since the outbreak of the disease in the state.
“So far, we have recorded 1,004 cases, but 980 of them have been treated and discharged, leaving only seven active cases.
“Unfortunately, 17 persons have died as a result of the cholera outbreak, which has affected 13 local government areas of the state.
“The active cases are still receiving treatment in various hospitals across the state,” the Commissioner added.
Lar urged the people of the state to observe strict personal hygiene practices such as handwashing, or where water is not available, sanitize their hands to stop the spread of the disease.
“As a government, we are not relenting in our efforts to address the problem, but we also want to appeal to the public to always maintain good sanitation.
“We urge everyone to shun indiscriminate dumping of waste, which causes waste to be washed into various water sources and bodies, especially during this rainy season.
“This also forms part of the solution when practised by the people,” the commissioner added.
Lar reiterated the commitment of the government to stop the spread of the disease, saying that government was leaving no stone unturned to halt it.