Five students of Bauchi College of Education, Kangere in Bauchi State have reportedly died following the outbreak of cholera in the institution.
The Punch learnt from sources in the college that the outbreak of the disease, which was said to have been caused by the dirty environment of the institution, caused panic among lecturers and students.
Confirming the outbreak of the disease in the institution in a press release made available to newsmen in Bauchi, Bala Kawu, the college’s Public Relations Officer, said that only one student died.
Kawu added that 34 students who had been infected were taken to the Cholera Camp at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, for treatment.
He stated, “The Bauchi State Government has been alerted to the outbreak of cholera at the College of Education, Kangere.
“Confirming the outbreak, Malam Bala Abdullahi, the Medical Officer of the college’s clinic, said about 34 students were taken to the camp at Bauchi; out of the number, six were admitted, while the remaining 28 were admitted and discharged.
Abdullahi confirmed “only one student died, pointing out that the medical officers at the camp confirmed that the student died not of cholera but of another illness.
The PRO refuted the allegation that the outbreak of cholera was connected to the dirty environment, pointing out that the disease broke out in the state at Kangere town where two persons had been confirmed dead about two weeks ago.
“The Kangere College of Education Medical Officer appealed to the state Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agency as well as medical agencies to assist the college with drugs and other assistance,” he said.
He added that the college authorities had refuted allegations that the institution had been closed down due to the outbreak of the disease.
The Deputy Provost of the college, Mr. Mugana Yelmi, said the college was not shut but that the students were running away because of the reported cholera outbreak.
-The Punch
