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Katsina records 118 suspected cholera cases

File Photo of cholera victims

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By Bashir Rabe Mani

As Nigeria grapples with a surging cholera outbreak, available data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) showed that no fewer than 31 states have so far recorded 528 confirmed cases.

Out of these cases, 53 deaths have been recorded in no fewer than 117 local governments across the country.

However, the three tiers of government and their partners have been employing proactive measures to tame the outbreak and prevent it from spreading.

President Bola Tinubu had since approved the establishment of a multi-sectoral cabinet committee on the control of the epidemic headed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.

In Katsina, the state government said it has recorded 118 suspected cholera cases out of which two were confirmed, disclosing that it was putting in place proactive measures to curtail the possible outbreak of the disease.

The Director of Epidemiology, state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Kabir Suleiman, stated this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina.

Suleiman explained that cholera was an ailment caused by bacteria, which was detected with acute diarrhea.

“Based on our records, around March, this year, we had an outbreak of cholera in Kusada local government. There were 68 suspected cases where we have two confirmed cases with one death.

“The situation was effectively managed by the government together with the development partners,” he said.

Suleiman added that recently, about 118 suspected cholera samples were taken for laboratory tests.

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According to him, all the cases were negative, adding, “So, for now, we don’t have new cholera cases. But the state is fully prepared for any emergency.

“Basically, we can coordinate any outbreak that can affect the state at any point in time.”

The director said the state, together with some of the development partners, have the required equipment to fight against the disease.

“We have all the needed equipment to treat such outbreaks. We have maintained our system at alert, where we are now at alert mode.

“Rapid Response Teams, including surveillance and notifications officers have already been trained on proper detection and management of such diseases.

“In terms of prevention and control, we are taking measures to curtail the spread of the disease to other places in the state,” Suleiman said

He further said that the agency has produced jingles to sensitise the residents on the causes of the disease, treatment and preventative measures.

The director further revealed that the government engaged about 3,000 ‘Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCMs)’ who visit house-to-house to sensitise women on the importance of maintaining personal hygiene.

Suleiman also said that the government had established ‘Oral Rehydration Points’ at the 34 Comprehensive Health Centres (CHCs) for admission and treatment of cholera cases.

“We also have a normal routine surveillance system that is working throughout the day in order to effectively fight against outbreak of emergencies like cholera,” he said.

NAN