By Haruna Gimba
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said six states have reported 1,786 suspected cholera cases of cholera between June 20 and June 26.
NCDC Director General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who stated this in Abuja, listed states as Bauchi, 1,239 cases; Kano, 362 cases; Niger, 62 cases; Zamfara, 55 cases; Kaduna, 59 cases and Plateau with nine cases.
The NCDC cholera situation report indicates that 27.6 percent of victims across the country are people between the ages of five and 14.
The report also states that 51 percent of suspected cases are male, while 49 percent are female.
Dr Ihekweazu added that a national multisectoral emergency operations center coordinates national cholera response activities.
“The EOC is co-led by the Federal Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Water Resources given the link between cholera, water, sanitation and hygiene.
“The center has helped states ensure a coordinated, rapid and effective response to the current epidemic.
“This includes the deployment of national rapid response teams to support the response at the state level, the provision of medical and laboratory supplies and the intensification of risk communication, among other activities,” he said.
The director general said the NCDC will continue to help states scale up their responses to the cholera outbreak, noting that the risk of death from cholera is higher when treatment is delayed.
He advised Nigerians to boil and store water in clean, safe containers before drinking it. And wash your hands frequently with soap under clean running water to prevent infectious diseases like cholera.
“This is especially important after defecation and before handling food or eating,” he added.
Cholera is a preventable and treatable epidemic disease transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
Health Reporters reports that the incidence of cholera tends to increase during the rainy season.
