Cholera claims at least 10
2005-04-22 14:17
Lagos - Cholera has killed at least 10 people in an outbreak in central Nigeria's Benue State, state health commissioner Michael Iduma said on Friday, quoted by a health ministry spokesperson.
"The hospitals I visited have a record of 10 deaths, but some people may have died at home without their deaths being recorded," Iduma said.
He said the disease broke out in the state capital, Makurdi, two weeks ago before spreading to other towns.
He said the government had sent vaccines and drugs to the affected areas to contain the epidemic.
Cholera is a waterborne disease which causes serious diarrhoea and vomiting and can be fatal if not treated within 24 hours. It can be prevented by washing hands before handling food and avoiding contaminated drinking water.
Last month, 13 people died and 56 were hospitalised following an outbreak of the disease in nearby Kogi State. - AFP
- SAPA