Amaizu, Ameaffia, Others In Ebonyi Anticipate Guinea Worm Outbreak Due To Unsafe Water
… Our People Die Of Water Starvation— Victims

Following the report of surveys and investigations generated in some communities in Ebonyi state, there have been predictions of imminent reoccurrence of guinea worm disease in most communities.

This prediction is based on the unavailability of safe drinking water, as the unrefined water has overtime proven  harmful to most communities in the rural areas.

Investigations revealed that most of the bore hole water projects executed by the Federal and State government alongside other donor agencies to those rural communities have deteriorated consequent on inadquate maintenance.

Famous Reporters who visited some areas such like Amaizu in  Izzi, Ameaffia okposhi Eheku community in Ohaukwu local government, Mgbom and Ibii community in Afikpo North Lacal government council, discovered that those areas do not have safe water as their only source of water is only a particular pond.

The pond as confirmed serves over five villages, namely:  Ugbenyim, Azuedengwu, Egwudinagu,  Onunwankwo and Onuoji village.

Other areas visited were  Egwudinagu village   part of Ezza umuhuali and Nkalagu in Ishielu Local government, in Ishielu.

The most heartbreaking, according to them, is the fact that most of the villagers have no means of filtering the water so as to make it relatively clean and fit for consumption, as the water, as observed houses millions of impurities.

Also devastating is that, inhabitants inevitably get into the pond with their foot wears. This proved that their alternative drinking water source are prone to the scourge.

Some of the villagers who spoke with Famous reporter at the pond  lamented the much inconveniences prompted by the indisputable absence of government’s presence in the area, hence plead for provision of healthy drinking water.

One Mrs Mary Ekechi lamented that they could not stop fetching water from the pond “because there is no alternative water provided for us by the government to satisfy the communities since there is no other source of water”, she wailed, as others at the scene implored the governent to run to their aide as people, they explained were dying as a result of water starvation.

Meanwhile, research reveals that Guinea worm disease (GWD), also known as Dracunculiasis, an infection caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis is spread by drinking water containing Guinea worm larvae. Larvae are immature forms of the worm.