The Rivers State Government has described as false the report of an outbreak of cholera that led to the death of some persons in the Soku community in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the State.
Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, in a statement on Monday
dismissed the report as unfounded.
Dr. Oreh urged the general public to disregard such report, remain calm and rest assured that her Ministry will continue to be a veritable source of public health information in the state.
“The Rivers State Ministry of Health has received numerous inquiries from the press regarding an alleged outbreak of cholera in the Soku community in Akuku Toru LGA.
“Cholera, which is a water-borne infectious disease, is a notifiable disease warranting escalating reports from disease surveillance and notification officers at the community level.
“Public health teams dispatched to investigate these alleged cases, and deaths have so far received no confirmation of such.
“The ongoing medical outreach in the Soku community is in no way related to any outbreak of cholera.
“Outreaches have always been a way of getting accessible healthcare to under-served and vulnerable populations.
“However, all such outreach activities must be conducted with approval from and in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, and as such, no entity should be conducting outreaches outside the coordination of the Ministry.
“All infectious diseases of this nature are to be reported, managed, and escalated by the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
“This statement should, therefore, serve as a strong warning to anyone conducting or planning health activities without due recourse to the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
“Any such activities found to be carried out without the knowledge and clearance of the State Ministry of Health will be fully investigated and dealt with too ensure the protection of the lives of Rivers people.”
“Therefore, the general public and members of the press are advised to disregard the rumors making the rounds on an ongoing outbreak of cholera and the death of some citizens of Soku Community in Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers State as it is presently unfounded, misguided, and capable of causing panic amongst citizens and residents.
“The general public is thus urged to remain calm and rest assured that the Rivers State Ministry of Health will continue to be a veritable source of public health information in the state.”
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health also warned that the ministry will not fail to investigate any individuals and organizations that organize health programs for the people without notifying the ministry and taking appropriate actions against them.
