At least nine people have reportedly died following a suspected cholera outbreak in the Andoni and Akuku-Toru local government areas of Rivers State.
Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the state’s Commissioner for Health, provided the update during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday. She confirmed that six of the deaths occurred in Andoni LGA, while three others were in Akuku-Toru LGA.
Oreh stated that 41 suspected cholera cases have been recorded across the two local government areas, with five confirmed cases in Akuku-Toru LGA.
Expressing sympathy for the victims, Oreh explained, “While we have not yet confirmed that these deaths were specifically due to cholera in Isiodum community, the symptoms of the reported cases align with the characteristics of cholera. Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that thrives in areas with inadequate water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.”
She further noted, “Rivers State has experienced recurring outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea and cholera, especially during the dry season, presenting significant health challenges due to their high mortality rates.”
As of January 13, 2025, a total of 41 suspected cases were reported in the affected areas. While five cases in Akuku-Toru were confirmed, no cases from Andoni had been officially confirmed due to difficulties in collecting samples in time. The commissioner also highlighted that three deaths in Andoni and six in Akuku-Toru have been associated with the outbreak.
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