ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Fear has gripped some residents of Bayelsa State, particularly those living in Yenagoa, the state capital, over the outbreak of cholera that has claimed some lives in the state.
The Ministry of Health in the state confirmed that no fewer than 30 communities had been hit by the epidemic, which is said to have as of Sunday claimed the lives of 19 persons.
A resident of Amarata in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, who gave her name only as Linda, said their fear was borne out of the fact that there are many cholera triggers in their community.
She said some parts of the community are unplanned, unkempt and unhygienic with sources of water supply nothing to write home about.
Linda said: “There is absence of public water supply in the area. Most residents depend on water vendors to supply their daily water needs. One discovers impurities in water supplied by these vendors. But because that is majorly the only available means of getting water supply, one has to use it like that.
“We are afraid that with the cholera that has hit some communities in the state, many residents may be affected. We hope the government will do the needful to ameliorate the situation to reduce incidence of the epidemic in our community.”
Another resident, who described himself simply as Ebi, expressed similar fear, saying that if the epidemic should get to the community, many persons would be doomed.
Ebi said: “Though the government provided waste disposal spots where residents empty their wastes, many residents don’t patronise them. There is acute littering of dirt, water and all manner of things in the area. Since we heard of the epidemic in other places, fear has gripped many residents.
“Again, many food vendors cook with water from unclean sources. This development is another source of fear for most of us. We know that some of the triggers of cholera are poor hygiene, junk food, water that is not pure and a whole lot of other causes. All these problems are with us in this community. Something drastic should be done to help different communities in the state.”
It was learnt that following the outbreak across 30 communities in the state that led to 19 deaths and 222 reported cases, Governor Douye Diri has sent vaccines to affected communities to stop the spread.
In a statement by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Pabara Newton Igwele, he said the government had established local governments’ Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to ensure active surveillance and response to any case of acute gastroenteritis or suspected cholera.
The statement explained that the state in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) had also sent vaccines to LGA headquarters and selected healthcare facilities to support management of the outbreak .
Dr. Igwele said: “Communities reporting cases have had commodities for containment of the outbreak distributed to them and these are still ongoing as we receive more reports and increase active case search.
“Some affected communities recently have teams mobilised from the Health Ministry to support the local efforts at containment. Oral cholera vaccines have been provided and vaccination of people in affected communities has begun in at least 30 communities.
“Awareness campaigns led by risk communication and community engagement teams have stepped up to help with enlightenment and information management. A Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has been opened for this cholera outbreak at the State Ministry of Health.”
The health commissioner advised the general public to be calm as the government was working at all levels to control and contain the situation as soon as possible.
He added: “The Bayelsa public is also strongly advised to use safe and clean water for drinking and other purposes as well as maintain good personal and environmental hygiene which are critical to prevent and control the transmission of waterborne diseases such as cholera.
“We assure all Bayelsans that with the proper care and treatment given by the state government, the outbreak will soon be a thing of the past and the lives of Bayelsans will be preserved.”