Cholera: 209 deaths, 12,881 suspected cases in twenty two states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 209 deaths and 12,881 suspected Cholera cases in twenty two states, within thirty-one weeks.

Nigeria is currently the most impacted country with some 90 per cent of cholera cases says the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Cholera is a serious bacterial infection that causes severe watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps which can lead to dehydration and even death.

According to the latest update of situation report by the agency, since the beginning of 2018, a total of 12,881 suspected Cholera cases with 359 laboratory confirmed and 209 deaths have been reported from twenty two states from 112 Local Government areas compared with 1068 suspected cases and 29 deaths from 36 Local Government areas in fifteen State during the same period in 2017.

The current outbreak has already reached a number of major states following weekly epidemiological report week 31(August 5, 2018), identifies  the highest burden from Zamfara with about 228 cases (two hundred and eight), Katsina (one hundred and twenty two), Kano (one hundred and nineteen), Abia  (four), Adamawa  (four), Borno ( nine) , Ebonyi  (nine) , Ekiti  ( one) , FCT (twenty) , Kaduna ( twenty four) and Yobe ( three).

“A total of 595 suspected cases have been reported with ten laboratory confirmed cases and 20 deaths were reported from 38 Local Government areas in eleven states,” says the report.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, chief executive officer, NCDC said, “Cholera cases are being treated at designated treatment centres in affected States. “We have ramped up our risk communications campaign so that people are better aware of the risk factors and ways to prevent cholera outbreaks”.

“We are also strengthening the disease surveillance and laboratory systems so that cases are reported early, detected in time and response measures initiated,” said Ihekweazu.

“Unsafe water sources and dirty environment contributed to the spread of the disease and yearly outbreaks in many states in Nigeria, says the agency while calling for better hygienic conditions.

“States are encouraged to prevent cholera outbreaks by improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH); this remains the best way to prevent cholera”, says a report by the organisation.

The agency further says that the Rapid Response Team continues to engage in extensive risk communications and social mobilisation activities in order to support surveillance, case management and laboratory capacities.

Meanwhile, NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR), State Governments and partners are strengthening water, sanitation hygiene activities in the affected states.