The Abia State Government has affirmed that all 109 suspected cholera cases reported in six LGAs of the state between January and June 2024 were all confirmed negative.
With this the government has said that there is no cholera in the state.
The position was made known by the Abia State Ministry of Health in an updated report covering January to June 2024 in response to the recent alert by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, about increasing cholera cases nationwide.
According to Elezuo Elezuo, the state epidemiologist and Dr Orie Agomuo, Director of Public Health and Disease Control in the ministry, 109 suspected cases of cholera were reported in six LGAs within the period in review, namely Ohafia (1), Ikwuano (9), Osisioma (1), Bende (17), Arochukwu (42) and Umunnochi (39).
However, the ministry explained that out of the 109 reported cases, only two samples tested positive after rapid diagnosis testing, RDT.
The Abia State Ministry of Health further explained that when the two positive cases were taken to the National Reference Laboratory, Abuja, they were confirmed negative for cholera, which proved that there was no cholera in the state within the period under review.
Nonetheless, prevention and rapid response measures have been put in place by the ministry to ensure that Abia remains cholera-free.
The state government cautioned residents about roadside foods and also urged them to maintain personal hygiene, avoid drinking untreated water, and cook their foods well before eating.
