About 20 persons have so far died from cholera which broke out in Andoni local government area of Rivers State.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, said in a statement that 171 cases had been reported in some communities in the local government.

He stated that the outbreak of gastroenteritis suspected to be Cholera, broke out in the area on January 5.

The commissioner said the local government area Rapid Response team and the state emergency response team had all risen to the challenge. Dr. Parker disclosed that two treatment centres had been opened in the area.

“The state emergency response team and the social mobilization team are already on ground to assess and manage the situation. Two treatment centres have already been established at Ebukuma and Okoli’ile to manage cases and affected people are advised to assess the facilities.”

Dr. Parker, who assured the people that the situation was under control said boreholes would be sunk in the area as part of measures to tackle the spread.

Adapted from Newswatch Times