Plateau State has seen 11 confirmed cases of cholera, with five people dead and 53 suspected cases. This information came from the state Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, who spoke to journalists on Sunday in Jos.
Mr Baamlong said the confirmed and suspected cases are mostly from Pushit, Mangu 1, and Mangu 2 communities in the Mangu Local Government Area (LGA).
The Ministry of Health is stepping up public health actions to control the outbreak, stop it from spreading, and lessen its effects on the communities involved.
He noted that the state government is taking strong steps to manage the situation. They are sending more Response Teams (RRTs) to affected areas, increasing treatment centres and isolation capacity, and urgently buying Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits, IV fluids, and necessary medications.
Health Management System Activated
The Commissioner also mentioned that they have set up an Incident Management System (IMS) to ensure a coordinated response to the outbreak.
"The activation of the IMS ensures a coordinated, efficient, and accountable response structure in line with national and international emergency response frameworks," he explained.
Mr Baamlong added that cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water from the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
He urged people in Mangu LGA and nearby areas to stay alert and take preventive actions. These include drinking safe water, keeping hands clean, not defecating in open spaces, and disposing of waste properly.
He also encouraged residents to quickly report any suspected cholera cases to the nearest health facility for immediate help.
Mr Baamlong reaffirmed the state government’s promise to protect the health and well-being of its residents. He also called on development partners and other stakeholders to assist in the ongoing response efforts.
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