Adamawa state has recorded four deaths from a suspected cholera outbreak in the Yola North local government area of the State.
The council chairman, Barrister Jibril Ibrahim, confirmed to newsmen in Yola yesterday.
Jibrin said Alkawa, Ajiya, and Limawa Wards were affected, saying 40 others are receiving treatment at specialist hospital Yola.
He said health officials are closely monitoring the situation. At Yola Specialist Hospital, he said samples collected from the outbreak have tested positive for the Vibrio cholera 01 serotype.
“We need immediate support from the state government and collaboration from the people of Yola North to help health workers in their efforts to control this outbreak.
He called for community cooperation with health workers, who have begun house-to-house visits to raise awareness and prevent further cases.
“We need immediate support from the state government and collaboration from the people of Yola North to help health workers in their efforts to control this outbreak,” said Barrister Ibrahim.
Authorities have encouraged residents to follow public health guidelines and report any suspected cases as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
When contacted, Commissioner for Health Mr Felix Tangwami said samples of acute water diarrhoea had been collected as the state is waiting for results from the national reference laboratory.
“We cannot say the state has a cholera outbreak until it is confirmed.
Tangwami said the suspected patients have been evacuated to the Specialist hospital for treatment.
He added that most of those who lost their lives died before being evacuated to health facilities.
“I have been at the infectious centre; those that lost their lives died not in hospital facilities.”
He assured that the government would monitor the situation in collaboration with health development partners in the state.