The Plateau state government has confirmed that no fewer than 10 lives have been lost to cholera in the state out of the 205 cases recorded from April to date.

Dr Raymond Juryit, the state’s epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, made this known yesterday in Jos , the state capital while flagging the public health enlightenment and sanitation exercise in Jos North and Jos South local government areas.

Juryit listed the affected areas as Nassarawa Gwom, Rikkos, Angwan Rogo and in Angwan Rimi.

The Plateau state government has confirmed that no fewer than 10 lives have been lost to cholera in the state out of the 205 cases recorded from April to date.

Dr Raymond Juryit, the state’s epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, made this known yesterday in Jos , the state capital while flagging the public health enlightenment and sanitation exercise in Jos North and Jos South local government areas.

Juryit listed the affected areas as Nassarawa Gwom, Rikkos, Angwan Rogo and in Angwan Rimi.

According to him, the disease was caused by contaminated water, food and poor sanitary condition.

In his words ”The suspected cases of vomiting and diarrhea is mostly caused by water and food contamination and poor sanitation, such as improper disposal of waste and open defecation,” he said.

Juryit underscored the need to control the outbreak of cholera through preventive measures of adhering to basic hygiene and ensuring that people consume only clean food and water.

Similarly, Dr Fom Dakwak, the state Commissioner for Health, who was represented by Dr Elias Pede, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, said that the ministry in collaboration with the ministries of environment and information would continue to enlighten the public on the importance of keeping their environment clean, drinking clean water, and eating fruits and vegetables that were properly washed.

Also speaking , the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Silvanus Dantu, said that the areas worst hit by the outbreak usually defaulted in the regular monthly sanitation exercise.

”The areas which has recorded high cases of suspected cholera in the State, Nasarawa Gwom, Angwan Rogo, Angwan Rimi and Rikkos have defaulted in the monthly sanitation exercise,” he said.

He disclosed that henceforth community leaders would be held responsible if their subjects failed to clean their environment or participate in the monthly sanitation exercise.

He said that the Plateau Environment and Sanitation Agency (PESA) would begin enforcement to ensure that every house own a toilet and keep its environment clean.

The Caretaker Chairman, Jos North Local Government Council, Dr Danjuma Sanda, commended the efforts of the various ministries involved in the enlightenment programme and pledged the council’s support.

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Up to 10 people have died in Plateau as a result of the cholera outbreak between April to date