The Rivers State Government has confirmed an outbreak of cholera in the state, with nine fatalities and 41 suspected cases recorded across Andoni and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, disclosed that the ministry’s investigation revealed symptoms consistent with cholera, particularly in areas lacking access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. “As of January 13, 2025, we have documented 41 suspected cases, five of which have been confirmed in Akuku-Toru, while confirmation from Andoni is pending due to challenges in collecting stool samples,” she explained.
The outbreak, first flagged by reports from Isiodum Community in Andoni, claimed three lives in the area, with six additional deaths recorded in Akuku-Toru. A former chairman of Andoni LGA, Dr. Gogo-Ogute Isaiah, decried the poor health infrastructure in the region, citing the tragic deaths of locals, including Michael Agba and Abigail Rowland, who succumbed to severe vomiting and diarrhea.
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“This community has no access to safe drinking water, making it vulnerable to waterborne diseases,” Isaiah lamented. He revealed that other residents, such as Mrs. Amos Asitor, remain critically ill, with limited means to access medical care.
In response, the Rivers State Ministry of Health has activated emergency measures to contain the outbreak. Dr. Oreh stated that the Rapid Response Team, led by the Directorate of Public Health and Disease Control, has been deployed to the affected areas. The team is working in collaboration with local government authorities and partners to strengthen disease surveillance, enhance case detection, and provide critical supplies.
Measures implemented include the distribution of oral rehydration salts, intravenous fluids, and essential medicines to health centers in Andoni and Akuku-Toru. Community sensitization campaigns on cholera prevention and control are also underway, alongside emergency provisions for alternative drinking water sources.
Dr. Oreh urged residents to adopt preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with soap and clean water, boiling or treating water with chlorine before use, and practicing safe food handling. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean environment and avoiding open defecation. “Early treatment saves lives,” she advised, encouraging individuals experiencing symptoms such as profuse diarrhea, vomiting, or severe dehydration to seek immediate medical attention.
The health commissioner also called for a collective effort, urging community leaders, civil society organizations, and the media to support public health education and promote compliance with preventive measures. “Rivers State is particularly prone to cholera outbreaks during the dry season, making this a critical time for heightened vigilance,” Dr. Oreh noted.
While the government has reassured the public of its commitment to curbing the outbreak, the incident underscores the urgent need for improved access to clean water and sanitation in vulnerable communities.
