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The Ministry of Health in Edo State declared a cholera outbreak in the state on Thursday, confirming six cases of the disease so far.
The Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Stephenson Ojeifo, announced this during a news conference in Benin.
Ojeifo said that the six confirmed cases were identified among the 40 suspected cholera cases recorded to date in the state.
“We sent 23 suspected samples that tested positive in the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmatory testing.
“We also have three suspected samples that tested negative for RDT but showed obvious clinical signs and symptoms.
“The total number of samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory for confirmatory testing is 26.
“As of Tuesday this week, we received 15 results, out of which six were confirmed positive for cholera, and we are still expecting some outstanding results,” he said.
He noted that while awaiting the results, the patients were managed in accordance with cholera management protocols.
“The patients are well and have been discharged. Fortunately, we have not had any new cases in the community exhibiting symptoms of cholera,” he added.
He also mentioned that three of the confirmed cases were from Egor, two from Uhunmwonde, and one from Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area.
Ojeifo stated that additional measures had been taken to address the outbreak effectively.
“We are activating all measures to address the outbreak we are currently facing.
“The state, in collaboration with the Edo Primary Health Care Development Agency, has selected several Primary Health Centres at the grassroots level to manage suspected cholera cases.
“The University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State University Teaching Hospital, and the Central Hospital in Benin City have been designated as referral centres for managing severe suspected cholera cases.
“We have also selected PHCs across different local government areas, staffed with doctors and nurses, to manage these cases adequately.”
He advised against self-medication, urging individuals experiencing watery stools and diarrhoea to seek hospital treatment.
He also encouraged the public to stay calm, practise good hygiene and sanitation, and promptly report suspected cholera cases to the relevant authorities.
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