Five cases of cholera, three fatalities and 20 suspected cases have been recorded in Plateau State.
The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, made this known on Wednesday in Jos.
He said the confirmed cases were reported in Ngyong, Hurti and Wurit communities in Bokkos local government area.
According to Baamlong, the state ministry of health had activated an incident management system for a comprehensive and multi sectoral response to the outbreak.
He further said that the state epidemiologist had been appointed as the incident manager for cholera outbreak in the state.
The commissioner explained that the duties of the incident manager entailed overseeing the establishment of oral rehydration centres in the affected communities, the establishment of cholera treatment centres and units at the college hospital in Bokkos local government area.
He said the incident manager would also coordinate surveillance, case management and risk communication activities.
Baamlong attributed the contributing risk factors of the outbreak to poor sanitation, limited access to clean water and the population displacement from the recent attacks in Bokkos local government area.
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He called for the evacuation of the suspected cholera cases to the treatment centres.
According to him, cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water with the bacterium vibrio cholerae.
The commissioner urged residents of Bokkos local government area and surrounding areas to be vigilant and practise good hygiene and also promptly report any suspected case of cholera to the nearest healthcare facility.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all Plateau residents and called on all partners to support this critical response effort.
