West Africa Plagued By Cholera Epidemic
September 11th, 2010 - 7:31 pm ICT by Pen Men At Work
September 11, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): Reports have stated the outbreak of a serious cholera epidemic in West Africa. The situation has worsened after heavy rains with the reports putting the number of deaths at 800 in Nigeria. The disease is slowing spreading to the adjoining parts of Cameron, Chad and Niger where there have been more deaths.
The conditions within the hospitals in Nigeria leave much to be desired as more and more patients suffering from cholera have to be accommodated within them. Lack of proper sanitation and clean drinking water is considered to be the main reason behind the spread of the disease.
The heavy downpour of rains have also succeeded in contaminating the water sources causing the deadly bacteria to flourish. All the ponds have been converted into sewages, the water from which slowly seep into the wells of the localities nearby infecting the residents by thousands.
Chris Cormency, an UNICEF official commented that the area has become a breeding ground for the deadly cholera.
The health ministry of Nigeria has put the number of deaths to 13,000 people so far. Dr. Musa Dambam Mohammed, a Bauchi state health official reported that the local government has tried to educate the general public about the contamination so that they could avoid contracting it. It has also taken adequate steps to chlorinate every well in the region.
Volunteers carrying large containers and spraying chlorine solutions everywhere are a common site in the village of Ganjuwa and its adjoining areas now. They are amongst the worst hit regions in West Africa.
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