LAGOS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of cholera has killed 30 people in Nigeria's northern state of Jigawa since May, according to an official.
More than 2,000 people have been hospitalized in the state in the last two months, said Salisu Mu'azu, an official of the state ministry of health, who confirmed the outbreak to reporters in Dutse, the state capital, Monday.
Mu'azu said the majority of the affected people were minors in the state. Some of the 2,000 affected people had been discharged, while others were still being treated for free in government hospitals.
According to the official, the state government is currently on top of the situation and is giving required support to citizens in the impacted areas.
Cholera is a very virulent disease marked by a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhea, which can cause deaths due to severe dehydration. Due to a shortage of potable water supply, especially in highly populated areas, the epidemic is commonly reported in Nigeria. Enditem
