Residents of Kanye ward in Kabo local government area, Kano, are urgently calling on the state government to provide necessary water treatment equipment for the Guzu Guzu dam to combat the spread of cholera.
The chairman Kanye development Association Comrade Isma’il Hussaini Kanye made the call during an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria in Kano.
According to him, earlier Guzu Guzu water treatment plant broke down forcing residents to rely on contaminated wells and ponds, resulting in a suspected cholera outbreak that has claimed seven lives and hospitalized 24 people.
He stressed that, many people residing near an old well popularly Known as kwakware suspected to be contaminated with sewage from toilets were affected by frequent stooling and vomiting.
Comrade Kanye noted that, the suspected cholera outbreak claimed 7 lives with about 24 hospitalized.
“Their sickness was characterized by stooling and vomiting we reported the case to health officials in the local government who came and disinfected the well”
The chairman highlighted that, many believed that the outbreak is linked to contaminated water from an open well in the village.
“Am urging the public to maintain personal hygiene keep their environment clean and ensure that they build their toilets with adequate sewage disposal plan to prevent further outbreaks”
The state commissioner Kano State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusif explained that out of the 824 suspected cases of cholera, only 19 were confirmed.
“45 people lost their lives due to stooling and vomiting across 28 local government areas in Kano but oy 19 out of 824 are confirmed cholera cases “
He attributed the outbreak to severe flooding in parts of the state, which contaminated wells with floodwaters.
Dr Abubakar pointed out that the state government has launched proactive measures to sensitize the public through various campaigns and initiatives to reduce the spread of cholera.