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Cholera: Death Toll Rises To 60 In FCT With 698 Cases
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has stated that it would intensify community sensitisation on cholera outbreak as the death toll rose from 54 to 60.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, made the disclosure at the continuation of sensitisation on cholera and other acute diseases in Pyakasa and Gwagwa communities on Thursday in Abuja.
Aliyu indicated that suspected cases of cholera in the FCT rose from 604 to 698 within 72 hours.
Represented by Dr Iwot Ndaeyo, the acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Board, the minister said that Abaji Area Council also recorded three suspected cases with no death.
She said that “Abuja Municipal Area Council recorded 281 suspected cases with 22 deaths and Bwari Area Council recorded 134 suspected cases with 22 deaths.
“In Gwagwalada Area Council, 220 suspected cases with nine deaths were recorded, Kuje Area Council had 23 suspected cases with four deaths and Kwali Area Council recorded 37 suspected cases with three deaths.”
Aliyu described the trend as “unacceptable in the FCT”, adding that “the administration would not fold its hands and watch residents die helplessly over preventable diseases. We must take every necessary step to curb the further spread.”
She urged FCT residents and critical stakeholders to publicise the message of cholera prevention, proper sanitation with the practice of hand hygiene in their respective communities.
Earlier, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Alhaji Abdullahi Candido, affirmed the council’s commitment to forestall the continuous spread of the disease to adjoining and other communities.
He said the Primary Health Care Department of the council had embarked on sensitisation to the four chiefdoms in Abuja Municipal Area Council to enlighten the traditional rulers and their councils about the cholera outbreak and preventive measures.
