Cholera kills six in Benue

THE Benue State government said yesterday that six people have died from cholera.

One hundred and ninety three others are in hospital.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr Jonathan Kwaghtsule, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“We have recorded six deaths from the outbreak, while 36 patients are admitted in seven hospitals in Makurdi.

“About 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 assisted us with drugs, just as the state provided items for the patients,” he said.

Kwaghtsule said the victims might have contracted the disease through infected water.

“Most of the people living in the affected areas drink water from the River Benue or buy same from water vendors,” he said.

He advised the people to drink clean or boiled water, to curtail the disease.

NAN reports that water scarcity has been one of the challenges facing the people.

The government is building three water works in the state.

Commissioner for Water Resources Conrad Wergba could not be reached.

But the General Manager, State Water Board, Michael Dzungu, attributed the scarcity to epileptic power supply.

“Our supply is epileptic because we rely on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to pump water, as we lack diesel to power the generators.

“We hope that the government will soon make provisions for diesel supply,” he said.