Tragic! Over 20 Confirmed Dead, as Fresh Virus Strikes in Delta

Cholera outbreak in coastal communities of Bomadi and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State has reportedly killed at least 20 persons this year.

According to THISDAY, scores of persons, mainly children, have been affected by the water-borne disease in the locality.

Reportedly, the community is notoriously known for its poor quality water for drinking and other domestic uses.

Sources in the area said that residents became anxious about the growing number of people with symptoms similar to cholera.

It was also gathered that the suspected victims began to flooded the various public hospitals and health centres in the area.

Relevant government authorities were said to have expressed concern over the cholera outbreak, which is coming on the heels of yellow fever outbreak in some communities in the state.

This is even while the COVID-19 pandemic is still on the prowl.

A source in the ministry said yesterday that only about seven persons out of the 150 cases of cholera recorded as at January 16, 2021, had died.

The health ministry source, however, said that collation of new cases and necessary analysis of samples from the patients was ongoing.

It was reported that Tuomo, Tamigbe and Gberegolor communities in Bomadi Local Government Area were the most hit as several victims reportedly died before reaching hospital or receiving medical attention.

Nevertheless, a team of officials from the state ministry of health and State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHDA) have moved in and working hard to bring the situation under control.

However, residents of the area are said to have resorted to drinking from the filthy water sources from the Forcados River, wells and local ponds,

The ugly situation ,thea according to our source is as a result of the absence of a portable water supply.

“Here in Bomadi, we drink from this river (Focados) because that is the only source of water. Anyone can see how dirty the river is,” a Bomadi resident, Mr. Charles Ebiye, said.

Speaking further, he said “some persons also rely on their shallow wells or ponds; this is clearly the cause of this cholera.”

Ebiye regretted that the state government was yet to put into use the multi-million Naira water scheme it constructed in the area many years ago.

In his reaction, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ononye Mordi, attributed the cholera outbreak to poor hygiene among the residents.

This, according to him, includes drinking water with high iron content and highly polluted by poor sanitary habits.

Ononye, however, assured that concerted efforts were being made by the state government to activate the water project soon.

He said it effort would aide in providing the people of the area with affordable clean and potable water.

The health commissioner expressed optimism that the situation would soon be put under control as the vaccination of the residents had commenced.