Plateau Cholera Outbreak Claims only 11 Lives, Says Plateau Government

Posted by African Examiner Agabus Pwanagba, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

Agabus Pwanagba

The Plateau State Government has said the recent Cholera outbreak in Namu District of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of the State has so far claimed only 11 lives and 136 persons admitted in various health centres in the council, contrary to media reports that 30 people died as a result of the outbreak.

: Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang

The State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Abraham Yiljap disclosed on Tuesday this while briefing journalists in Jos.

He denied reports that there was an outbreak of the disease in Jengre District of Bassa Local Government Area of the State, where 24 people were said to have been admitted.

Yiljap said, “In Jengre, the conclusion by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health is that none of the reviewed cases/records was compatible or fitted the case definition of Cholera. Rather, the cases as presented were mostly diagnosed cases of Malaria.”

Stating that, “As I speak to you the disease has been contained to the point that we do not have any new mortality, instead the number of those who were in the health facilities in Namu on admission, has dropped to the point that, we have just four people on admission.

“This shows the effective measures the Plateau State Government has taken to contain that disease.” He aded

The State’s image maker assured the citizenry that, “Intense disease surveillance is going on in the 17 Local Government Areas and resources and personnel have been placed on standby to respond appropriately.

He calls on the people of the State to observe basic hygiene, by keeping away from unsafe water sources, fruits and vegetables, whose sources are uncertain.

The Commissioner further stated that, the state government is committing N9 million to ensure that the Namu epidemic is fully contained.

He appealed to the media, to always verify and confirm information as to causes of sicknesses and casualty figure from appropriate agencies, to avoid causing panic among citizens.