By Admin By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: Three persons have reportedly died following a suspected cholera outbreak in Isiodum, a rural community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The victims, identified as Micheal Agba, Ekenere Awaji Loveday, and Abigail Rowland, were said to have died after experiencing severe vomiting and stooling.
Dr. Gogo Ogute Isaiah, a former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Saturday, adding that several others are critically ill due to the outbreak.
“I was in Unyeada this morning with a team of engineers to inspect an ongoing water rehabilitation project when I received reports of a suspected cholera outbreak in Isiodum. Last night, two persons, Mr. Micheal Agba and Mrs. Abigail Rowland, died after experiencing severe vomiting and stooling,” Dr. Isaiah said.
He further revealed that another victim, Mrs. Ekenere Awaji Loveday, passed away on Saturday morning, while others, including Mrs. Amos Asitor, are in critical condition.
“The situation is alarming. The affected community has no access to clean drinking water, and efforts to get medical attention have been difficult. Isiodum is an ancient Andoni community close to Unyeada, but it has been largely neglected over the years,” Isaiah lamented.
According to him, the outbreak has triggered fear among residents, with many contemplating abandoning the community to seek safety elsewhere.
Dr. Isaiah disclosed that he has informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara about the situation, and the governor has assured him that emergency response measures will be taken to contain the outbreak.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the Press Officer of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Edna Alete, confirmed that the ministry’s head of disease control had been alerted.
“We have notified the relevant department to carry out investigations. Confirming a disease outbreak takes time, as a full-scale investigation needs to be conducted,” Alete stated.
The community is calling on the state government and health agencies to urgently intervene and provide potable water, medical assistance, and preventive measures to avert further deaths.