By Frank Ulom
Barely one month after Cross River recorded Lassa Fever outbreak, the state has recorded another deadly disease, cholera.
According to a statement by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, on Friday, one case involving a child was confirmed in Akpabuyo Local Government Area in the south.
“A child with watery diarrhoea tested positive with cholera Rapid Diagnostic Test, RDT.
“Sample was thereafter collected and sent for culture. Same returned positive on Wednesday, 31 January 2024.
“The child was treated and discharged home even before the confirmatory result was out.
“All other watery diarrhoea lines listed in Akpabuyo are all RDT negative.
“Response activities have since commenced in Akpabuyo by the State and LGA Rapid Response Team with support from WHO.
“Sensitisation is ongoing at markets, schools, health facilities and house-to-house.
“Cholera RDTs had been positioned in health facilities for early detection and reporting,” Ayuk said.
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The Health Commissioner also said three suspected cholera cases have been reported in Etung Local Government in the Central part of the state.
“Three suspected cases have also been reported at Nsofang in Etung LGA. They are being investigated. The same proactive measures as at Akpabuyo have been put in place in Etung.
“Commodities will be sent to both LGAs. I will be at Etung tomorrow morning while the State Epidemiologist will be at Akpabuyo to provide leadership.
“Meanwhile the public is advised not to self-medicate or send affected students back home but report cases with watery stools to the nearest health facility,” he added.
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