No cholera case in Rivers, says commissioner

The Rivers State Government has hinted of a suspected case of Cholera outbreak in Ngo community in Andoni Local Government Area of the state, but said no active case has been recorded.

This is as the government appealed to the people and residents of the state to endeavour to access any of the primary healthcare facilities across the state in the event of any health challenge.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, disclosed this in a voice note sent to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Saturday.

She said the information became necessary following recent nationwide reports about cholera outbreaks across some of the states in the country.

Adaeze stated, “In the past couple of days, there have been nationwide reports about cholera outbreaks across some of the states in Nigeria.

“I will therefore like to share a brief update to the public on the status in Rivers state.

“On the 9th of June, 2024, the Rivers State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre received notification of some suspected cases of cholera at Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.

“The Rivers State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre was further notified of two associated deaths in the community with similar symptoms by the local government area rapid response team led by the state disease surveillance and notification officer.

“The state rapid response team mobilised to support the local government area rapid response team to ascertain that diagnosis, manage and contain the incident.

“Suspected cases were managed at the General Hospital, Ngo and the team interacted with the doctors who were available at the time of the visit.”

Continuing, she said, “The cholera case management protocol was reviewed for common understanding and the Rivers State Ministry of Health supported the facility with medical consumables, information, education and communication materials, and infection prevention and control commodities.

“I wish to therefore emphasize here that there are currently no active cases that have been reported in Rivers State.”

The commissioner, however, advised members of the public to always boil their water before drinking to prevent any case of cholera.

She further said suspected cases of cholera can be reported for necessary follow-ups through dedicated telephone lines that are already in the public domain.