Cholera has killed 60 people so far in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The disease first broke out in the Abuja Municipal Area Council on June 23, 2021, killing at least seven out of the 91 suspected cases.
The recent death toll was confirmed by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, at the continuation of community sensitization on cholera and other severe acute diarrhea diseases outbreaks in Pyakasa and Gwagwa communities in the FCT.
She revealed that suspected cases in the nation’s capital have risen from 604 to 698 within three days.
The minister also stated that the ugly trend was unacceptable, assuring that this administration would not fold its hands and watch residents die helplessly over preventable diseases.
According to figures announced by the FCT minister, Abaji Area Council recorded three suspected cases, no death, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) recorded 281 suspected cases with 22 deaths, while Bwari Area Council recorded 134 suspected cases with 22 deaths.
“We must take every necessary steps to curb further spread,” she said, urging residents and critical stakeholders to propagate the message of cholera disease prevention, proper sanitation with hand washing hygiene in their respective communities.
The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido, reiterated the commitment of his council to check the spread of the disease in communities.
He said, “On our part as an area council, we swung into action immediately we received the news of the outbreak and its confirmation in June. We quickly mobilized our health personnel in all our primary healthcare facilities for prompt responses.
“Following the recommendations from the outbreak report, we provided funds for quick purchase of drugs, infusions and other treatment materials/consumables in addition to the ones we received from the FCT Public Health Department.
“The Disease Control Unit of our Primary Health Care Department through Disease Surveillance Notification Officers have been working tirelessly in different communities of the council including hard-to-reach communities in order to trace and report cases at the primary healthcare facilities for free treatment.”
