Cholera: Six dead, 193 hospitalised in Benue

The Benue State Government on Tuesday in Makurdi said six people have died from cholera and 193 others diagnosed with the disease in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Jonathan Kwaghtsule, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Kwaghtsule said: “We have so far recorded six deaths from the outbreak, while 36 patients are currently on admission in seven hospitals in Makurdi.
“A total of 193 persons have been admitted since the outbreak.
“Some have been treated and discharged, while others are responding to treatment.
“The Federal Ministry of Health has assisted us with some drugs, just as the state government also provided necessary items for the patients.”
Kwaghtsule, said the victims might have contracted the disease through infected water.
“Most of the people living in the affected areas drink water directly from River Benue or buy same from water vendors,” he said.
He therefore advised the people to drink clean or boiled water to curtail the spread of the disease.
NAN reports that the problem of water scarcity has been one of the major challenges facing the people of Benue State in recent times.
This is in spite of the construction of three major water works in the state by the state government.
Efforts to get the reactions of the Benue State Commissioner for Water Resources, Conrad Wergba, failed, as he could not be reached.
However, the General Manager, Benue State Water Board, Michael Dzungu, attributed the scarcity to inadequacy of power supply.
Dzungu said: “Our supply is epileptic because we currently rely on power from PHCN to pump water, as we lack diesel to power the generators.
“We hope that the government will soon make provisions for adequate diesel supply.”