Bayelsa State Confirms Cholera Outbreak Amid Criticism

The Bayelsa State Government has officially confirmed an outbreak of cholera in several communities following earlier denials. The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, called on residents to prioritize hygiene to curb the spread of the disease.

During an appearance on Radio Bayelsa’s Talk to Bayelsa, Brisibe identified Agoro, Nembe, and Esoni as affected communities. He assured the public that no fatalities had been recorded in government healthcare facilities and emphasized that cholera is preventable with proper hygiene practices.

The confirmation followed reports from the Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organisations Forum (BANGOF), which alleged fatalities in Nembe Local Government Area and criticized the government’s delayed response.

BANGOF Chairman, Mr. Taritein Boco, expressed frustration, claiming that health workers had identified cholera symptoms such as “rice water stool” while lives were being lost.

Prominent chiefs in Nembe also condemned the government’s initial denial, accusing officials of prioritizing politics over public health.

The outbreak, initially referred to by authorities as gastroenteritis, has heightened concerns about the need for swift government action to address health emergencies in the state.