The Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi, Moses Ekuma, has disclosed that the state has recorded 28 deaths and 386 cases since the cholera outbreak on September 24.

Mr Ekuma made this known to journalists on Saturday during the donation of medical commodities by the governor’s wife, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to the General Hospital in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area.

He said most deaths occurred at home before the emergency response team and the ministry were informed.

Mr Ekuma attributed cholera outbreaks to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper disposal of refuse, among other factors.

He said six treatment centres have been designated across the state to tackle the outbreak.

The commissioner said the governor’s wife’s donation, made through her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), included home purification tablets, hand sanitisers, intravenous infusion, and oral rehydration salt.

Ms Ekuma commended the governor’s efforts against the epidemic.

Mrs Nwifuru, while making the donation, commiserated with the victims’ families and encouraged them not to lose hope.

She noted that the visit aimed to identify factors contributing to the spread of the disease.

“The sight of these people battling cholera is a reminder that we must do more to protect our communities from infectious diseases,” she said.

(NAN)