The death toll as a result of a cholera outbreak in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, has risen to five and it includes a four-month-old baby and 33-year-old pregnant woman.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in Ogun State, Dr Ayinde Akinsanya disclosed this on Friday, during a press briefing in Abeokuta.

Akinsanya said so far, the number of the reported cases has risen to 12 and five persons have died.

It was reported that four persons in Abule-Otun in the Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state have lost their lives to the outbreak.

Addressing newsmen on the outbreak, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of health said, the baby died at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, while others did not go to any health facility in the state.

He said the other seven cases have been hospitalised at the state hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.

Akinsanya said, “On 21 November 2019, the state Epidemiology unit received a report of a laboratory-confirmed case of cholera from the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

“The case index is a 33-year-old pregnant woman who presented at FMC on referral on the 19 November from a private facility. She resides in Abule-Otun, Lafenwa Abeokuta, but, trades at Kuto market.

“Prior to the onset of symptoms, she ate rice purchased from a food vendor with sachet water at Kuto market. There have been prior reported suspected cases of cholera linked to Kuto market, but could not be confirmed because they had commenced antibiotics.”

He added “A total of 12 cases (index case inclusive) have been line-listed. Eight reported from health facilities and four picked in the communities from retrospective case search.

“One death from cases reported in the health facilities and four other deaths in the community that were never reported at the health facility, but from information gathered during investigation.”

Speaking on the action taken by the ministry, Akinsanya said a thorough investigation has commenced in the affected communities to control the outbreak.

He further said, the government has conducted active case search in all health facilities, pharmacy, outlets and patent medicine vendors.

On the next plan of action by the government, Akinsanya said, the Water Corporation has been advised to screen local sources of water in the communities.

He also said that plans have been put in place to provide alternative source of water to break transmission.