By Asma’u Ahmad
The Adamawa State Government has officially declared end of cholera outbreak which affected 2,755 people and claimed 41 persons across the state.
The Commissioner of Health in the state, Dr Fatima Atiku Abubakar, made the declaration at a press briefing in Yola on Tuesday.
She said that the declaration was based on epidemiological protocol and standard. “When the number of suspected cases in the epidemic area significantly declines and all samples from suspected cholera outbreak cases tested were negative by Rapid Diagnostic Test or culture for minimum period of two weeks, the outbreak is considered controlled.
“Hence, we hereby officially declare the end of current cholera outbreak in Adamawa State,” she stated.
She lauded the World Health Organization (WHO) and other national and international organisations for their active support to the state in controlling the outbreak which affected eight local government areas.
“On behalf of Governor Bindow Jibrilla, I would like to thank all partners and individuals who supported us during this period,” she said
She named the organisations as MSF, UNICEF, International Rescue Committee, ICRC, NRC, CDC, FHI360, Solitaire International, DSNOs of all the affected LGAs, SPHCDA and local civil society organisations.
The commissioner added that the organisations made significant contributions to controlling the outbreak.
Dr Fatima also lauded the media as well as traditional and religious leaders for their role in sensitising the public on the outbreak and the preventive measures.
Newsmen report that the affected local government areas are Yola North which recorded 264 cases with six deaths and Fufore that had 687 cases with seven deaths.
Others were Girei with 17 cases and no death, Yola South which had 51 cases with one death, Hong which recorded nine cases with no death and Maiha with 170 cases and one death.
Also affected were, Mubi North with 639 cases and 14 deaths as well as Mubi South which recorded 918 cases with 12 deaths.
According to the commissioner, most of the deaths recorded were due to delays in reporting to health facilities for timely quality care.
