A cholera outbreak has tragically claimed the lives of 11 individuals in Ndibokote village, located in Ezza Inyimagu, within the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. This devastating event, which began on Monday, September 23, 2024, has affected men, women, and children alike, including a nursing mother who leaves behind a 9-month-old baby.

Dr. Moses Ekuma, the State Commissioner for Health, confirmed the outbreak during a rapid response effort at the Iziogo Health Center. He reported that the death toll had reached between 9 and 10, with approximately 20 others currently receiving treatment. Dr. Ekuma emphasized the state’s commitment to controlling the situation and expressed gratitude to Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for approving funds for essential medical supplies to combat this crisis.

In response to the outbreak, three treatment centers have been established: one at Iziogo Health Center, another at Sudan Mission Onuenyim, and a third in Ndibokote village. Dr. Ekuma urged community members to adopt preventive measures and to seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

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Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi, the Director of Public Health, suggested that the outbreak may have originated from a suspected cholera case linked to the recent burial of a woman, compounded by local issues such as open defecation and inadequate hygiene practices. The community relies on streams as their primary source of drinking water, further exacerbating the risk.

Elder Stephen Nwankpuma, a local stakeholder, reported that he alerted authorities after receiving urgent calls for help, which led to a swift state government response. Additionally, community health worker Mr. Maduabuchi Nwokpuru confirmed that he had treated several individuals affected by the outbreak at his facility.

Some community members, who preferred to remain anonymous, indicated that the outbreak seemed to coincide with the burial of a woman suspected of dying from cholera. They voiced concerns over delays in the response from local authorities, including Hon. Stephen Nwankpa, the Chairman of the Izzi Local Government Council, which they believe contributed to the tragic loss of life.