Danger: Cholera on prowl in Nigeria

…Kills 649 in 18 states
…191 hospitalised in Kano

AN epidemic of cholera sweeping through many parts of Nigeria has killed about 649 people in 18 states.

  The states were listed as Benue, Delta, Zamfara, Gombe, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, and Kaduna. Others are Plateau, Kebbi, Cross River, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara and the FCT.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this in its situation report published yesterday.

  Explaining that there has been an increase in the number of new cases in Bauchi, Kano Jigawa and Kwara States, the report said the epidemic killed 31 people between July 5 and July 11, 2021, before assuming a frightening pace spread that increased its death toll last week.

  According to the agency, since the beginning of this year, a total of 19,305 suspected cases have been recorded with the disease spreading to 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

  “As at July 11, 2021, a total of 19,305 suspected cases, including 649 deaths have been reported from 18 states and FCT since the beginning of 2021 till last week. Of the reported cases since the beginning of the year, 11.0 per cent are aged 5 – 14 years. Of all suspected cases, 52 per cent are males and 48 per cent are females,” the report reads.

  Meanwhile, Director of Public Health in Kano State Ministry of Health, Ashiru Rajab,  said that 169 people who contracted the cholera epidemic in the state are currently receiving treatments in various health facilities.

  “We have recorded 5,221 cases in the last three months. About 4,860 were treated and discharged. Currently, we have 191 active cases in different facilities across the state, while 169 deaths were recorded across the 41 local government areas of the state. Kano State Government had embarked on massive sensitisation and enlightenment campaign to the general populace especially the rural dwellers on measures needed to be implored in maintaining environmental and personal hygiene to avoid outbreaks. Similarly, the government had provided the needed medications such as fluids, drugs and other essential facilities in government hospitals geared towards addressing the menace,” Rajab said.