No fewer than 20 persons have lost their lives to suspected cholera outbreak in Ekeureku, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The cholera outbreak has reportedly affected 10 villages in Ekeureku community beginning from Thursday.

The Permanent Secretary at the Cross River Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara, confirmed the outbreak but said he could not give the figure of the death toll.

Iwara, however, assured that the state government has activated a health rapid response team, which has swung into action in the community bordering Ebonyi State.

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One village head, who pleaded anonymity, said it all began when some villagers started feeling severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

He said the health condition was initially thought to be one of those associated with the dry season.

“We discovered that this time, the disease was spreading very fast and was killing affected persons within few minutes of passing out watery stool.

“As of Saturday, more than 20 persons have died because of suspected cholera across the 10 villages,” he stated.

The village head said the community had sent SOS to its natives working in the health sector, adding that from feedback so far received, the WHO and UNICEF would soon arrive to contain the situation.

Ekeureku is an agrarian community that had been faced with unavailability of potable water and lacked good health facilities.

The 10 villages that make up Ekeureku community are Agbara, Ngarabe, Ekureku-be, Akpoha, Akare-for, Anong, Emenekpon, Etegevel, Egboronyi, and Emegeh.

The Star