Cholera confirmed in 3 local government areas.
76 cases recorded so far
Yola North, Yola South and Geirei LGAs affected.
Toll free lines for case reporting released.
Adamawa Government on Tuesday confirmed to the Nation newspaper the outbreak of cholera in three local government areas of the state with one death from the 76 cases recorded.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Information Officer of the State Ministry of Health, Abubakar Mohammed, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.
“Adamawa State Ministry of Health wishes to inform you and the general public that the state has recorded confirmed cases of cholera in three local governments namely Yola North, Yola South and Girei respectively.
“The Epidemiological unit of the ministry received the report on acute watery diarrhea and vomiting on 12th May, 2019, samples collected and tested using both Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and cultured results from reference laboratory yielded positive.
“As at today Tuesday the 18th of June 2019, a total of 76 cases were recorded with 1 death, giving a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.3%.
“Yola North reported 44 cases with 1 death (CFR= 2.3%); Yola South has 1 case with no death (CFR = 0%); and Girei recorded 31 cases with no death (CFR=0%).”
The ministry said that it has commenced action with other partners, adding that the State Rapid Response Team and Emergency Operation Centre had been activated, while Active case search teams were recruited, trained and deployed.
It said that community mobilizers were also engaged to carry cholera preventive messages on house to house bases, while All identified households in the affected communities were decontaminated.
It said treatment center had been set up in Yola Specialist Hospital to support case management.
”A 24 hour ambulance services and toll free lines were made operational to ease the movement of suspected cases from the communities to the health facilities. Mass media campaigns in radio and TV will commence to sensitize general public on cholera prevention and control measures and good hygiene promotion practices.
“General public is hereby encouraged to report any suspected case immediately to the nearest health facility or Call the following toll free lines 08031230359, 07080601139 for prompt response. All calls made to the lines are free of charge,” the statement said.
These are the key facts of cholera according to the World Health Organization.
- Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibro cholerae that can kill within hours if left untreated.
- Researchers have estimated that each year there are 1.3 million to 4.0 million cases of cholera, and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths worldwide due to cholera.
- Up to 80% of cases can be successfully treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS).
- Severe cases will need rapid treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
- Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to control the transmission of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
- Safe oral cholera vaccines should be used in conjunction with improvements in water and sanitation to control cholera outbreaks and for prevention in areas known to be high risk for cholera.
- A global strategy on cholera control with a target to reduce cholera deaths by 90% was launched in 2017.
Courtesy: Nation
