By UCHENNA UGWU

The Ebonyi Government says the death toll from the cholera outbreak in Ndibokote Village in Ezza-Inyimegu Community has hit 15.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, confirmed the number of deaths from the epidemic in the locality to newsmen in Abakiliki on Friday.

Ekuma said that three emergency centres had been designated for the treatment of patients.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi, Mr Steven Nwankpa, has warned the people of the affected community to desist from open defecation practice and other unhealthy lifestyle.

Nwankpa issued the warning, while monitoring the extent of the epidemic in the community and sensitising the natives on the dangers of open defecation.

He said that putting an end to the unwholesome practice would help to check the spread of the disease in the area.

He said that the warning became necessary, following the increasing number of cases and deaths from the scourge.

Nwankpa said, ?The number of death has risen to 15 since Wednesday, when the epidemic broke out in the Ndibokote Village in Ezza-Inyimegu Community.?

He described the incident as shocking and appealed to the community to avoid holding burial ceremonies until the scourge had been controlled.

?Ensure that you maintain proper personal hygiene,? Nwankpa said.

A community leader, Mr Stephen Nwamkpuma, linked the outbreak to some natives, who allegedly brought home some pieces of beef from a burial ceremony.

?After eating the meat, the people started vomiting, resulting in the spread of the disease,? Nwamkpuma said. (NAN)

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