September 6, 2014 – At least 16 people have been confirmed dead in Sokoto while 40 others are said to be receiving treatment in hospital following cholera outbreak in the state.
According to health officials, the high level of casualty was recorded in the last three days.
Dr. Bello Dahiru, who is taking care of the patients at the Primary Health Centre in Kasarawa, said that the high level of casualty was recorded in the last three days. Cholera hit the state even as there are fears that Ebola Virus Disease has hit the state.
Speaking on the incident, Chief Medical Director Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Ahmed said laboratory tests carried out on the patient that showed symptoms of Ebola indicated he is without the virus.
“This is to notify members of the public that a 25 year old patient was brought to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, four days ago, precisely on first of September, 2014, on account of vomiting, weakness of the body, cough and bleeding from the nostrils.
“He was initially managed at a private hospital on account of gastroenteritis for which he got better and was discharged home only to present with features mentioned at our institution.
“In view of the current outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, the bleeding created a lot of panic both among health workers and the general public necessitating sending his blood sample to the reference laboratory in Lagos.
“The Chief Medical Director, UDUTH, has gotten the approval of the Honourable Minster of Health, Processor Onyebuchi Chukwu to inform the general public that the result of the investigation was negative to Ebola, Lassa, Dengue and West Nile Diseases.
“In line with this, we urge people not to panic and be assured that the Federal Government is committed to the safety of Nigerians. We also commend the efforts of the Health personnel for their vigilance and courage in the management of the case,” he said.
