A cholera outbreak that has spread throughout six local government districts in Niger State has reportedly resulted in at least 13 fatalities and over 236 hospitalizations.
Shiroro LGA was the initial site of the epidemic on Sunday, but it quickly spread to the local councils of Bosso, Minna, Magama, Bida, and Munya, alarming the locals and forcing the state government to act quickly.
The state’s primary healthcare commissioner, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, reportedly acknowledged the development on Wednesday and stated that the administration has implemented a multi-sectoral strategy to stop the waterborne disease’s spread.
“We are launching vigorous campaigns to raise awareness, and we have established treatment and isolation centers to help stop the spread,” Dangana stated.
In the eight emirates of the state, he said, the awareness campaign is targeted at Islamic organizations, traditional rulers, and faith-based organizations like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Along Minna’s Old Airport Road, the government has opened an isolation center at the former wing of the Late Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta Primary Healthcare Center in an attempt to improve emergency response.
In order to combat the outbreak, Dr. Dangana praised Governor Umaru Bago for his “swift intervention” in mobilizing resources. He also thanked the state’s partner donor agencies for their assistance.
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The commissioner’s statement was further supported by Dr. Ibrahim Idris, Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Tertiary Healthcare, who emphasized that Shiroro, Bosso, and Minna continue to be the most severely affected.
We are currently paying close attention to the epicentres where transmission is greatest. In all impacted LGAs, surveillance and case tracking are still in progress,” Idris was quoted by Channels Television as saying.
Health officials are still keeping a close eye on the situation, and locals have been asked to practice good hygiene and report any suspected cases as soon as possible. Additionally, authorities are urging citizens to drink only clean, treated water and refrain from open defecation.
Officials cautioned that if preventive measures are not closely followed, there is still a strong chance of additional mortality, even though as of press time, no new deaths had been reported.
