ABOUT 441 cases of cholera outbreak and 14 deaths have been recorded across four local government areas of Plateau state.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, who disclosed this in Jos, also confirmed 20 positive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases through culture, with infections affecting 25 wards and 107 settlements.

He stated that only three patients remain on admission in Jos North, describing the development as an indication that government’s interventions are yielding results.

According to him, the outbreak was first detected in Mangu Local Government Area in June, prompting the ministry of health to activate a coordinated multi-sectoral emergency response in collaboration with local government areas, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) as well as development partners.

Ba’amlong said Mangu, the epicentre of the outbreak, recorded 53 suspected cases, with 10 testing positive through RDT and four confirmed by laboratory culture, while 10 deaths were reported across nine wards and 64 settlements.

He said there is currently no active cholera case in Mangu, with the last reported case recorded on July 22.

ALSO READ: 24,000 treated for suspected cholera in Borno

He further disclosed that Jos North has recorded 277 suspected cases, seven positive RDT, one laboratory-confirmed case and four deaths, affecting 61 settlements in 14 wards.

In Jos South, the commissioner said only one confirmed case was recorded, adding that the patient had been successfully treated and discharged without any fatality.

He added that Barkin Ladi Local Government Area recorded its first case on July 16, with 23 suspected cases, two positive RDT, no laboratory-confirmed case, and no death reported, while two settlements in one ward have been affected.