Adults and children squatting and defecating into trenches and pools of floodwater under the bridge at the New Artisan Market Enugu is a common sight, with some others washing their clothes and children swimming at the other end.
Those who cannot descend into the trench when they need to defecate use polythene bags and fling the content into the trench. The water flows from a gully that passes through the market, characterised by improper waste disposal, lack of toilet facilities and hygiene practices.
Residents within the market- predominantly livestock traders- say they have suffered years of water scarcity, forcing them to depend on the dirty water for everything. Bathing. Washing of cloths and sometimes, cooking and drinking.
On July 17 2021, the Enugu State Ministry of Health confirmed at least seven people dead following a Cholera outbreak at the Market. An additional 19 persons were identified with the symptoms of loose stool and vomiting afterwards.
While residents were still recovering from the news, the director, public health and disease control at the ministry of health, Boniface Oko, confirmed, three days later that seven more people had died following another outbreak. This brought the total number of fatalities to 14.
Oko said that more than 80 people had been infected with the disease since Friday, July 17, last year when it was first reported.
He linked the outbreak to poor hygiene practices, including improper disposal of waste and consumption of untreated water which had become the norm for many households within the market.
