Cholera outbreak hits Borno, govt approves 400,000 vaccines
By Bala Salihu Dawakin kudu
( Northern Bureau Chief)
October 4, 2024.
The Borno State Ministry of Health has declared a cholera outbreak in the state, following the recent flood disaster that affected several areas.
Professor Baba Gana, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, made the announcement at the eye center in Maiduguri, confirming that 17 out of 200 tested samples returned positive. The outbreak has been recorded in the Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Dikwa, and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) local government areas.
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While no fatalities have been reported, the commissioner emphasized the growing number of suspected cases, with 451 reported from various LGAs. Neighboring states, including Adamawa and Yobe, have also been affected by the cholera outbreak.
In response, the state government has launched an immediate effort to control the spread of the disease, with the support of partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
These organizations have set up facilities to handle suspected cases, and around 400,000 cholera vaccines have been made available to prevent further spread.
According to him, the outbreak is a result of the recent flood disaster that ravaged parts of the state.
Although no death has been recorded, the commissioner said there are increasing cases of Cholera in many LGAs, especially when neighbouring states of Adamawa and Yobe have been affected by the outbreak.
