Cholera Outbreak: C'River Has Activated Emergency Response Team, Says Ayuk, Health Commissioner 

Ndifereke BASSEY 

Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, says the state has activated emergency response team to respond to any threat of cholera outbreak in the state.

He, however, said the state has not witness any case of cholera since the current outbreak in 30 states of the federation was reported.

Ayuk, who disclosed this in an interview in Calabar on Thursday, said the state had witnessed one dead associated with cholera around March.

He said: "There was outbreak of the disease in two local government; Obubura and Biase between February and April and only one dead was recorded during the outbreak.

"That was about the only time we have had case of cholera outbreak in this state."

Speaking on the current outbreak in the country, Ayuk said: "We have already adopted the guidelines provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

"As part of our preparedness, we have reactivated our public health emergency response team at the state and local government level to respond and react immediately.

"We are increasing surveillance activity in the state and also educating communities on the need to report any case of diarrhea.

"We are particularly focus on the riverine areas which we have designated "hot spot" such as Etung, Abi, Obubura, Biase and part of Yakurr local government areas."

A cording him, surveillance is being increased because people from states affected with the outbreak moves from place to place.

The reported outbreak of cholera in 30 states of the federation have so far claimed 40 lives.