Edo State Government on Thursday declared a cholera outbreak in the state, confirming six cases of the disease so far.
The Director, Public Health in the State Ministry of Health, Dr Stephenson Ojeifo, made the announcement during a news conference in Benin, stressing that the six confirmed cases were identified among the 40 suspected cholera cases recorded to date in the state.
“We sent 23 suspected samples that tested positive to the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for a confirmatory test.
“We also have three suspected samples that tested negative to RDT but with obvious clinical signs and symptoms.
“The total number of samples sent to the national reference laboratory for confirmatory testing is 26.
“As of Tuesday this week, we received 15 results out of which six were confirmed positive to cholera and we are still expecting some outstanding results,” he said.
He noted that while the results were expected, the patients were managed in line with the cholera protocol management procedure.
He also said three of the confirmed cases of the disease were from Egor, two from Uhunmwonde while one was from Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, noting that more actions had been taken to ensure that the outbreak was adequately addressed.
He advised against self-medication urging persons suffering from watery stool and diarrhoea to visit the hospital for treatment.
He also urged the public to stay calm, practice good hygiene and sanitation as well as promptly report suspected Cholera cases to relevant authorities
