Cholera claims 12 more lives in Nigeria\'s northern state

A cholera outbreak in Nigeria's central north Benue State hasclaimed 12 more lives as the disease spreads wider in the West African country. At least 80 people have been hospitalized, following the outbreak in Oturkpo local government area of the state, according to the local administration chief, Innocent Onuh. "We are on top of the situation. As for the number of deaths, we cannot specifically tell you now if there are more as we speak because most of the cases are being recorded in the hinterlands but we are collaborating with the state government and state ministry of health to stem the spread of the disease," he said. A source at the Oturkpo General Hospital said every passing day, more cholera cases resulting in death were reported in the area. Most of the victims, usually women and children, are from the main town of Oturkpo where there was scarcity of water recently, the source added. "The situation in neighboring villages is even worse because we hear daily of new cases and deaths in these communities. And the figure keeps rising due mainly to lack of proper medicare for victims," the source noted. Cholera, a bacterial infection, is caused by drinking water that is contaminated with "vibrio cholerae bacteria", or by eating food that has been in contact with contaminated water. The disease causes an acute intestinal infection which brings about severe vomiting and diarrhea, leading to serious dehydration and can be fatal if not properly treated. Last month, Nigeria's Minister of Health Onyebuchi Chukwu said 373 citizens, mostly from the northern part of the country, have been affected. Out of the total number of cases, the Nigerian official said 74 people had died nationwide as of last month from the current cholera outbreaks in the West African country.