Scores feared dead as cholera ravages Zaria

Local authorities in Zaria, Kaduna State, say nine persons have died as a result of a cholera outbreak in the area while over 50 others are being treated for the disease in various hospitals.

Though findings by our correspondent indicated that the casualty figure may be higher, Zaria LG chairman, Lawal Balarabe, said the report in his possession showed the number of deaths and others affected from only government hospitals.

“Our record relies on reports from government hospitals. We have about 15 private hospitals that don’t report to us, therefore we can’t know what is happening there,” he said.

But our correspondent reports that cholera which has been ravaging Zaria for some time now has taken a higher toll in various governments and private hospitals as well as different communities.

In Sabon Gari LGA for example, Marmara area is worst hit. Checks at the governmentowned Major Ibrahim Abdullahi Memorial Hospital revealed that many patients are on admission and are buying drugs for treatment. “Before we went on strike many people died in this hospital but I can’t recall the number. When we resumed, I know that one person died. From the report I have from different areas of Zaria and environs, not less than 55 persons have died”, a hospital source said, but Daily Trust could not independently verify the claim. Checks in other areas like Gyellesu revealed that nine persons died from the disease. Other areas like Tudun Jukun, Dambo, Wuciciri, Dutsen Abba, Tudun Wada also recorded casualties.