DELTA RECORDS ZERO CHOLERA CASE IN 3 YEARS

By NBF News

For three years now, Delta State has not recorded any case of cholera outbreak, a disease that is prevalent in the northern part of the country, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, has said.

According to Dr. Otumara, in 2008 and 2009, the Ministry of Health conducted advocacy to seven local government areas that were prone to outbreaks of diarrhea such as cholera.

'I am pleased to inform you that for three years now there has been no report of a case of cholera in the state,' he said, lamenting, however, that there have been outbreak of other diarrheal diseases caused by a variety of agents such as virus, bacteria, protozoa and helminthes.

Dr. Otumara disclosed this at the opening of a one-day sensitization meeting with stakeholders on control of diarrhea outbreak.

Participants at the sensitization meeting which took place in Asaba were drawn from seven local government areas including Burutu, Bomadi, Ethiope West, Oshimili South, Ughelli South, Warri South and Warri South West.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Daniel Omodon, the commissioner explained that diarrhea which covers a wide spectrum of illnesses have led to a high 'rate of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with greater toll on under-five children.'

He said the disease is preventable by observing simple hygiene, drinking only safe water and proper disposal of solid and liquid waste.

Dr. Otumara disclosed that earlier this year, his ministry had organized a workshop for food vendors and cooks in Asaba and Warri on proper handling of food  to reduce the prevalence of food and water borne diseases.

Earlier in her welcome address, the state Director of Primary Health Care and Disease Control, Mrs. Minnie Oseji, said the meeting was organized to sensitise stakeholders in the local government areas that are prone to diarrhea outbreak.