Tragedy struck the community of Dong-Kasa along Rukuba Road in Jos, Plateau State, as one person lost their life and at least 15 others fell ill due to a suspected cholera outbreak. The outbreak, which occurred on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, has left many residents, including 12 children and 4 adults, hospitalized after consuming water from a particular well within the community.
Mrs. Janet Victor, a resident of Dong-Kasa, recounted the harrowing events, explaining that the ordeal began after drinking water from a newly dug well in the absence of alternative water sources nearby. She revealed that three of her children were among those hospitalized, echoing similar situations among her neighbors.
Another resident, Mrs. Christiana Bala, shared a similar plight, stating that her entire family fell ill after drinking water from the same source. Tragically, one of her neighbors, a young female, succumbed to the illness after vomiting blood shortly following consumption of the contaminated water.
Mr. Gabriel Ojobo, Managing Director of Watero Nig Ltd, visited the community to assist affected families and provide treated drinking water to aid in their recovery. Describing the incident as “sad,” he urged community members to refrain from consuming water from untreated sources. He emphasized the importance of treating water for consumption, highlighting Watero Ltd’s commitment to ensuring clean and safe water for the community.
In response to the outbreak, Mr. Ojobo stressed the company’s dedication not only to providing treated water but also to conducting advocacy and enlightenment campaigns on the importance of clean and safe water. He emphasized that treating water is essential to guaranteeing its safety for consumption, urging the public to remain vigilant about the quality of their water sources.
“Apart from providing treated clean water, we also provide advocacy and enlightenment to communities on the need to have clean and safe water,” he emphasized, stressing the importance of water treatment for consumption.
