Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that 1,786 suspected cholera cases have been reported in six Nigerian States between June 20 and 26.
Gatekeepers News reports that NCDC Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu disclosed this to reporters on Saturday.
The States, according to Ihekweazu are; Bauchi, 1,239 cases; Kano, 362 cases; Niger, 62 cases; Zamfara, 55 cases; Kaduna, 59 cases and Plateau, 9 cases.
He explained that in the preceding week of June 13 to June 19, five Nigerian States; Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara reported 1,757 suspected cases.
NCDC Boss said Bauchi State reported 900 cases, Kano State reported 575 cases, Kaduna State reported 70 cases, Plateau reported 98 cases, while Zamfara reported 114 cases.
Ihekweazu said that between January 2021 and June 27, a total of 14, 343 suspected cases of cholera were reported from 15 states and the FCT — with 325 deaths.
The affected states are Benue, Delta, Zamfara, Gombe, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Kebbi, Cross-River, Nasarawa, Niger and the FCT.
Gatekeepers News reports that the NCDC’s Situation Report on cholera shows that 27.6 percent of victims across the country are those in the five years to 14 years bracket.
The report also reveals that 51 percent of the suspected cases are male, while 49 percent are female.
Ihekweazu stated that a multi-sectorial national emergency operations centre coordinates the cholera national response activities.
“The EOC is co-led by the Federal Ministry of Environment and that of Water Resources given the link between cholera, water, sanitation and hygiene,” he said.
“The centre has been supporting states to ensure a coordinated, rapid and effective response to the current outbreak.
“This includes the deployment of National Rapid Response Teams to support the response at the state level, provision of medical and laboratory supplies, and scale-up of risk communications amongst other activities.”
Ihekweazu who noted that the risk of death from cholera was higher when treatment is delayed, said the NCDC would continue to assist states to strengthen their outbreak responses.
He urged Nigerians to boil and store water in clean and safe containers before drinking. And also, to wash their hands regularly with soap under clean running water to prevent infectious diseases like cholera.
“This is especially important after defecation and before handling food or eating,’’ the NCDC boss added.
