By HARUNA GIMBA YAYA

A cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of seven people, while others are still receiving treatment at a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Garko Ward of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, in a statement on Thursday, said the outbreak was confirmed by the ministry’s Rapid Response Team deployed, which eventually established a treatment centre at Bogo Model PHC.

According to him, the deployment of the team followed a surveillance report of suspected cases of cholera and the death of a two-year-old child in Kalajanga village of Akko.

He said within the last seven days, 32 cases were treated and discharged from the health centre with six others currently on admission at the PHC.

According to him, the cholera outbreak was attributed to the drinking of contaminated water by the victims.

“The onset of the rainy season at times heralds the period of cholera outbreaks.

“Therefore, it is easily spread in the community if control measures are sub-optimal,” he said.

Dr Dahiru added he had activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System for a prompt and coordinated response to the outbreak, with adequate resources for the management of cases and treatment.

The commissioner called on residents of the state to ensure the use of clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals, observing personal hygiene and environmental sanitation. (Daily Trust)

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