The Executive Secretary, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development
Agency, Mr. Adamu Gamawa, has confirmed the death of two out of the 20
people suffering from cholera in Bauchi metropolis.
Gamawa said out of 20 new cases, two people died at the
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH Bauchi,
while 18 others are responding to treatment; in the same hospital.
He revealed that the 20 new cases came from four different locations within Bauchi metropolis.
He listed the affected areas as Danmar A and B Isangaya
school, Hardo, within Kobi ward, Makama B at Nasarawa Jahun and Makama
A Gwallaga .
The chairman said the agency, in collaboration with development partners, had made
adequate preparations like procuring adequate drugs
like ORS solutions and chlorine for disinfection toward preventing the spread of the disease.
Gamawa further disclosed that already, the agency had started disinfecting the whole areas in the state.
He called on the people of the state to cultivate good
personal hygiene, keep their environment clean and always cover their
food properly.
The chairman said by so doing, spread of the disease would be curtailed.
“Allowing your environment to be dirty, not washing hands
before and after eating, and eating any how are the causes of the
outbreak of cholera.
“If we keep a good hygiene, do a lot of hand washing, this disease will die away the way it started.”
He also disclosed that, “The State Rapid Response Team has commenced surveillance across the 20 local government areas in the state.
“We recorded 20 cases of cholera in Bauchi metropolis and two out of them have been confirmed dead.
“The agency has written to all its ministries, departments and
agencies such as the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency and
Water Board to take measures to prevent its spread.
“The water board is to ensure a constant supply of potable water to the public and ensure environmental sanitation.
“These are keys to preventing the spread of the disease,’’ he said.
Gamawa added that BASEPA would also embark on fumigating Bauchi environment as part of its preventive measures against cholera.
It would also be involved in the provision of the Oral Rehydration
Therapy (ORT) and other consumables needed for the treatment of the
disease.
“We have a place at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital
(ATBU-TH) that can serve as an isolated camp for cholera patients.“However, the situation has not reached that extent,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Bauchi State has not recorded any case of cholera since 2014.