Cletus Shurkuk, the Commissioner for Health in Plateau State, has reported that the state has confirmed a total of 20 cases of cholera, which have led to two fatalities.

Cletus Shurkuk, the Commissioner for Health in Plateau State, has announced that the state has confirmed 20 cases of cholera, which have resulted in two fatalities. Speaking in Jos on Friday, Mr. Shurkuk reported that these confirmed cases were primarily located in the Kwalmiya community within the Kanam Local Government Area (LGA).

He noted that 16 individuals have received treatment and been successfully discharged from medical care, while the remaining two patients are currently responding well to treatment and are expected to be discharged soon.

The commissioner emphasized that the Ministry of Health has established robust epidemiological surveillance systems to monitor cholera cases actively and to educate the community on effective prevention methods.

Mr. Shurkuk pointed out that the community currently relies on a single functional well, alongside two non-functional boreholes. He also mentioned that the Ministry is working in collaboration with the local government to repair these non-functional solar boreholes.

Additionally, he explained that cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

“It is a disease of poverty that predominantly affects individuals with inadequate access to safe water and basic sanitation. Cholera can be effectively prevented through improvements in water sanitation and hygiene practices. By implementing these measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of cholera transmission,” the commissioner stated.