A cholera outbreak in Obubura community, Cross River State, has claimed over 60 lives.
According to an increasing rate of mortality across 14 wards, over 200 persons have been infected and over 60 deaths recorded.
Channels Television reports that the community depends on a river as the only source of water for cooking, bathing, washing, drinking and defecation.
The residents and traditional ruler of Obubura community in Cross River State are calling on the state government to come to their aid urgently amid a cholera outbreak.
The community’s traditional ruler, Ohorodo I of Okum Kingdom, Ovan Robert, who frowned on the epidemic, called on the government to intercede by providing them with drinking water to avoid another outbreak.
The major sources of income in Obubura, one of the 18 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, are fishing and selling of sand from the river for survival.
The state government visited the community to sensitize the people on the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and advised the visit the healthcare facilities whenever they notice any health challenge.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, promised to ensure that adequate potable water will be provided by the government as a replacement for the river source.
Sensitization exercise will reportedly be embarked upon by health personnel across the community.