By, Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has deployed a team of
health personnel to Borno state; to contain cholera outbreaks that
claimed 20 lives at Muna Garage Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
camps and Dala community treatment centre, Maiduguri.
Over 200 patients were admitted at the treatment centre, after
discharging 100 at the weekend by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) or
doctors without borders, while containing the spread of water borne
epidemic in IDPs camps.
The immediate deployment of emergency health team, was announced in a
statement of Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu
issued on Tuesday to journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The statement reads in part: “Our emergency deployment of health
personnel to Borno state Ministry of Health; was contain a cholera
outbreak in some parts of the state.”
He said that following investigations led by the Health with support
from the WHO and other partner agencies; cholera was confirmed by
NCDC’s Central Public Health Laboratory in Lagos.
According to Ihekweazu, the disease is currently affecting six
identified areas in the state with Muna Garage IDPs Camp on the
outskirts of the state capital, Maiduguri.
“The worst hit areas include resettlement camps and other settlements
that lack portable water,” he said.
He said NCDC in collaboration with other partners and humanitarian
agencies, are working round the clock to support the state government
in preventing further spread of cholera.
“We have deployed a Rapid Response Team to support the State Ministry
of Health in coordination, contact identification, tracing and
laboratory investigation as well as case management,” said Ihekweazu.
The public health measures, according to him, have been initiated with
the establishment of a Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) in the affected
camp and surrounding areas.
He said the measures will strengthen access to water, sanitation and
hygiene and curb further spread of the disease.
“NCDC and our partners are working together to conduct a cholera
vaccination of the state,” he assured.
He said the holistic approach to prevent further spread of cholera
include; risk communications activities by reinforcing both
conventional media and door-to-door enlightenment campaigns.
On current death toll, Ihekweazu said: “No less than 319 suspected
cases and 20 deaths had been reported in the state as on last
Saturday. It is water borne disease; that causes acute watery diarrhea
in children and adults.
“While Cholera is endemic in Nigeria, we find an increase in the
number of cases during the rainy season. The disease is most often
spread by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated and
is more common in areas with overcrowding as well as poor sanitation
and hygiene practices.
“It is also characterised by sudden onset of severe acute watery
diarrhea which can lead to death as a result of dehydration.”
He added that other symptoms of cholera include nausea, vomiting and weakness.
He therefore urged members of the public to report all sick persons
with these signs or symptoms to a health care facility immediately for
early initiation of treatment; while health care workers are advised
to practice universal care precautions in handling patients at all
times.
Ihekweazu urged all states in the country to report cases of cholera
immediately, while improving on the timeliness of their reporting; to
prevent widespread cholera outbreaks.
