- Cholera outbreak spreads, kills dozens in Nigeria
- Anxiety, palpable fear in the S/East as Imo state records some deaths
- South East health authorities on their toes, go on health sensitization program
Anxiety, palpable fear and desperation can only describe the mood in the South East zone of the country following reported cholera outbreak in the country.
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that no fewer than 37 deaths have been recorded in the current Cholera outbreak, which has hit 30 states, including Lagos and Ogun.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Public Affairs in the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, said the state had recorded an additional six cholera deaths as against the previous 15.
Recall that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in its recent report, said from January 1 to June 11, 2024, over 1,141 suspected and over 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths, had been reported from 96 local government areas in 30 states.
However, with the six additional deaths in Lagos, and one death in Ogun, the fatalities are no fewer than 37.
In any case, on Tuesday, June 18, following the increasing cases of the disease, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the International Organisation for Migration held an emergency meeting in Lagos over the cholera outbreak in the country.
Nevertheless, as the cases continue to increase and spill over some states in the country, South East zone has remained on red alert.
Government hospitals visited by WITHIN NIGERIA reporter are equally on alert over the incident.
At Enugu state General Hospital located in Ede-Oballa, Nsukka local government area of the state, many nurses were seen putting on face masks just like in the days of COVID-19 epidemic.
Some patients were also mandated to put on face masks to avoid possible contraction of the disease.
Also at General , Ukpabi/Nimbo, one of the nurses who preferred anonymity told our reporter that “prevention they say is far better than cure. It is better to prevent this disease by wearing masks than running helter skelter to cure it.”
Asked if the hospital has received any dose of vaccine incase of any infection, our source revealed that ” we have not received any vaccine but we are doing everything possible to prevent its eventual occurrence.”
WITHIN NIGERIA reporter gathered that the even private hospitals were also at the peak of their prevention measure.
Following this development, health authorities in the south East zone have continued to highlight measures to avoid the possible outbreak in the zone.
Imo state
Imo State has been identified as one of the states with a high level of cholera outbreak in Nigeria.
In response, the Imo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling for proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The motion, moved by the Deputy Speaker and Member Representing Nwangele State Constituency, Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, expressed shock that Imo State was among the ten states mentioned by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as contributing to 90% of the total cases recently recorded.
The lawmaker emphasized the need for Imo citizens to be educated and sensitized on the causes, symptoms, and treatment protocols of cholera to prevent loss of lives.
The motion was supported by various lawmakers, including Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, and Hon Chisom Ojukwu, who all stressed the importance of public enlightenment and sensitization in containing the outbreak.
In view of this, the House resolved to call upon the Ministry of Health to embark on aggressive sensitization campaigns and activate emergency treatment teams and appropriate protocols in government hospitals and health centers.
The Commissioner for Health was also directed to collaborate with the Imo State Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association to effectively contain and stop the spread of cholera in the state.
Abia state
As the fear and anxiety continue to spread across the zone, the Abia Government has said that it is taking proactive measures to prevent the outbreak of cholera in the state.
Dr Kalu Kalu, Executive Secretary, Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHDA) disclosed this in an interview with the news men Umuahia, last Wednesday.
Kalu said that part of measures was the agency’s insistence on the promotion of public hygiene and environmental sanitation across the state.
Narrating further, he said that the agency is also working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the campaign on the prevention of cholera outbreak in the state.
He said that cholera as a fecal-oral disease could be spread through the contamination of water or food with the feces of an infected person.
The ASPHDA official also said that cholera could be considered a waterborne disease because contaminated water remained a common vector for its transmission.
Kalu urged residents of the state to only drink water from safe sources, and cautioned food vendors against selling contaminated food to members of the public.
“I can tell you that as a state, we are on top of the situation, our target is not to record any single case of cholera.
“This is the reason we have kick-started a robust sensitisation campaign. Our health workers are taking advantage of every opportunity to educate people on how to prevent the disease.
“Our jingles are already running, fliers and posters are out. Health talks are ongoing at health facilities across the state.
“We shall use town announcers to reach out to the hinterlands. We must imbibe the habit of personal hygiene, we must avoid eating foods that are not well-washed,” he said
Enugu state
Enugu state is yet to record any case of the disease.
However, on Monday, the State Government has urged residents to be vigilant and adhere strictly to the preventive measures to avoid cholera outbreaks in the state.
The Commissioner for Health Emmanuel Obi made the call while noting that the state was yet to confirm any case of a cholera outbreak, Obi said residents needed to stay informed and take preventive measures to protect themselves and their communities. According to him, the disease affected approximately 30 states in Nigeria including states surrounding Enugu State.
According to him, “therefore, you must remain vigilant and take precautions that include boiling or treating drinking water to ensure its safety and washing hands frequently with soap and clean running water. “Avoid consuming raw or undercooked food, cook food thoroughly, avoid street food or food from unhygienic sources.”
Anambra state
In the face of the growing spread of the disease across Nigeria, the Anambra State Ministry of Health said it has taken swift action by activating the state’s Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the 21 Local Government Areas in response to a cholera outbreak in Nigeria.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, emphasized the importance of early detection and prevention in managing outbreaks.
He said this while addressing the media in his office at the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat in Awka.
“Although Anambra has not yet reported any cases of cholera, but the emergency response teams are actively conducting surveillance in all 21 LGAs to promptly identify and contain any potential cases.”
According to him, Public education campaigns are also underway to raise awareness about cholera and emphasize preventive measures within communities.
Dr Obidike said he has taken personal initiative to engage with radio stations to disseminate crucial information and educate the public about the signs, symptoms, and preventive strategies for cholera.
He described Cholera to be an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae which poses significant health risks due to its potential to cause severe dehydration, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death if left untreated.
The Commissioner said that the transmission of cholera is primarily through the consumption of contaminated food or water, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining proper sanitation practices and access to clean water sources.
“Areas with inadequate sanitation facilities and limited access to clean water are at higher risk of cholera outbreaks while underscoring the need for improved public health infrastructure and hygiene practices.
“As of January 2024, Nigeria has been grappling with a significant cholera burden, with 1528 suspected cases Anxiety, palpable fear and desperation can only describe the mood in the South East zone of the country following reported cholera outbreak in the country.
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that no fewer than 37 deaths have been recorded in the current Cholera outbreak, which has hit 30 states, including Lagos and Ogun.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Public Affairs in the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, said the state had recorded an additional six cholera deaths as against the previous 15.
Recall that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in its recent report, said from January 1 to June 11, 2024, over 1,141 suspected and over 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths, had been reported from 96 local government areas in 30 states.
However, with the six additional deaths in Lagos, and one death in Ogun, the fatalities are no fewer than 37.
In any case, on Tuesday, June 18, following the increasing cases of the disease, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the International Organisation for Migration held an emergency meeting in Lagos over the cholera outbreak in the country.
Nevertheless, as the cases continue to increase and spill over some states in the country, South East zone has remained on red alert.
Government hospitals visited by WITHIN NIGERIA reporter are equally on alert over the incident.
At Enugu state General Hospital located in Ede-Oballa, Nsukka local government area of the state, many nurses were seen putting on face masks just like in the days of COVID-19 epidemic.
Some patients were also mandated to put on face masks to avoid possible contraction of the disease.
Also at General , Ukpabi/Nimbo, one of the nurses who preferred anonymity told our reporter that “prevention they say is far better than cure. It is better to prevent this disease by wearing masks than running helter skelter to cure it.”
Asked if the hospital has received any dose of vaccine incase of any infection, our source revealed that ” we have not received any vaccine but we are doing everything possible to prevent its eventual occurrence.”
WITHIN NIGERIA reporter gathered that the even private hospitals were also at the peak of their prevention measure.
Following this development, health authorities in the south East zone have continued to highlight measures to avoid the possible outbreak in the zone.
Ebonyi state
On Saturday, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma on Saturday said that there is no confirmed case of cholera in the state.
Dr. Ekuma who stated this in Abakaliki, the State capital, however said that the state has so far recorded 33 suspected cases who are already undergoing clinical tests to ascertain if they are actually cholera infections.
In his words, “so far, we have not recorded any case of confirmed cholera outbreak in the State but what we have are only 33 suspected cases. Those suspected cases are undergoing clinical tests to ascertain if they are actually cholera infections.
“In Ebonyi State, there are processes we have in place that we go through that will lead to confirmation. We are still on that process,” Dr. Ekuma said.
Meanwhile, a Health Specialist in the state, Dr. Wilfred Chukwu has advised the state government and the Ministry of Health to commence statewide sensitisation on the dangers and causes of cholera pandemic to forestall another outbreak in the state.
“The State Ministry of Health should commence statewide sensitisation on the causes and dangers of the outbreak to enable the people understand the signs and symptoms of the infection.
“We must not wait to record a case before we commence the sensitisation. The time to start is now that Ebonyi is yet to record any case,” Dr Chukwu said.
“We have always advised that when someone is confirmed to have died as a result of cholera, it is expected that the person should be buried immediately without burial ceremonies, but the people will not obey the directive and it will end up affecting others.
“The people expose whatever they eat to flies and these flies will perch on them and transmit diseases to them”.
“Most of the people in the rural areas and even the urban don’t have toilet facilities as they defecate around their houses and waterways which make it easier for diseases to be transmitted to them.
“The Ministry of Environment and Health must clampdown on landlords who don’t have toilet facilities in their houses and ensure that such houses are sealed.
“Our people must ensure regular hand-washing with running water to avoid contracting diseases and make use of health facilities provided for them by the government whenever there is outbreak of any endemic
in their localities.
“People should stop resorting to self-medication or delay in accessing health facilities,” the health expert further warned.
Imo state
Imo State has been identified as one of the states with a high level of cholera outbreak in Nigeria.
In response, the Imo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling for proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The motion, moved by the Deputy Speaker and Member Representing Nwangele State Constituency, Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu,
expressed shock that Imo State was among the ten states mentioned by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as contributing to 90% of the total cases recently recorded.
The lawmaker emphasized the need for Imo citizens to be educated and sensitized on the causes, symptoms, and treatment protocols of cholera to prevent loss of lives.
The motion was supported by various lawmakers, including Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, and Hon Chisom Ojukwu, who all stressed the importance of public enlightenment and sensitization in containing the outbreak.
In view of this, the House resolved to call upon the Ministry of Health to embark on aggressive sensitization campaigns and activate emergency treatment teams and appropriate protocols in government hospitals and health centers.
The Commissioner for Health was also directed to collaborate with the Imo State Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association to effectively contain and stop the spread of cholera in the state.
Abia state
As the fear and anxiety continue to spread across the zone, the Abia Government has said that it is taking proactive measures to prevent the outbreak of cholera in the state.
Dr Kalu Kalu, Executive Secretary, Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHDA) disclosed this in an interview with the news men Umuahia, last Wednesday.
Kalu said that part of measures was the agency’s insistence on the promotion of public hygiene and environmental sanitation across the state.
Narrating further, he said that the agency is also working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the campaign on the prevention of cholera outbreak in the state.
He said that cholera as a fecal-oral disease could be spread through the contamination of water or food with the feces of an infected person.
The ASPHDA official also said that cholera could be considered a waterborne disease because contaminated water remained a common vector for its transmission.
Kalu urged residents of the state to only drink water from safe sources, and cautioned food vendors against selling contaminated food to members of the public.
“I can tell you that as a state, we are on top of the situation, our target is not to record any single case of cholera.
“This is the reason we have kick-started a robust sensitisation campaign. Our health workers are taking advantage of every opportunity to educate people on how to prevent the disease.
“Our jingles are already running, fliers and posters are out. Health talks are ongoing at health facilities across the state.
“We shall use town announcers to reach out to the hinterlands. We must imbibe the habit of personal hygiene, we must avoid eating foods that are not well-washed,” he said
Enugu state
Enugu state is yet to record any case of the disease.
However, on Monday, the State Government urged residents to be vigilant and adhere strictly to the preventive measures to avoid cholera outbreaks in the state.
The Commissioner for Health Emmanuel Obi made the call while noting that the state was yet to confirm any case of a cholera outbreak, Obi said residents needed to stay informed and take preventive measures to protect themselves and their communities. According to him, the disease affected approximately 30 states in Nigeria including states surrounding Enugu State.
According to him, “therefore, you must remain vigilant and take precautions that include boiling or treating drinking water to ensure its safety and washing hands frequently with soap and clean running water. “Avoid consuming raw or undercooked food, cook food thoroughly, avoid street food or food from unhygienic sources.”
Anambra state
In the face of the growing spread of the disease across Nigeria, the Anambra State Ministry of Health said it has taken swift action by activating the state’s Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the 21 Local Government Areas in response to a cholera outbreak in Nigeria.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, emphasized the importance of early detection and prevention in managing outbreaks.
He said this while addressing the media in his office at the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat in Awka.
“Although Anambra has not yet reported any cases of cholera, but the emergency response teams are actively conducting surveillance in all 21 LGAs to promptly identify and contain any potential cases.”
According to him, Public education campaigns are also underway to raise awareness about cholera and emphasize preventive measures within communities.
Dr Obidike said he has taken personal initiative to engage with radio stations to disseminate crucial information and educate the public about the signs, symptoms, and preventive strategies for cholera.
He described Cholera to be an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae which poses significant health risks due to its potential to cause severe dehydration, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death if left untreated.
The Commissioner said that the transmission of cholera is primarily through the consumption of contaminated food or water, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining proper sanitation practices and access to clean water sources.
“Areas with inadequate sanitation facilities and limited access to clean water are at higher risk of cholera outbreaks while underscoring the need for improved public health infrastructure and hygiene practices.
“As of January 2024, Nigeria has been grappling with a significant cholera burden, with 1528 suspected cases and 53 reported deaths across 31 states and 107 local governments.
“So, the collaborative efforts of health authorities, emergency response teams, and community members are crucial in containing the spread of cholera and mitigating its impact on public health.
“The situation calls for continued vigilance, proactive measures, and community engagement to effectively combat the cholera outbreak and safeguard the well-being of the population.
“By prioritising public health interventions, promoting hygiene awareness, and ensuring access to clean water sources, Anambra is taking decisive steps to protect its residents and prevent the further spread of cholera.”
“So, the collaborative efforts of health authorities, emergency response teams, and community members are crucial in containing the spread of cholera and mitigating its impact on public health.
“The situation calls for continued vigilance, proactive measures, and community engagement to effectively combat the cholera outbreak and safeguard the well-being of the population.
“By prioritising public health interventions, promoting hygiene awareness, and ensuring access to clean water sources, Anambra is taking decisive steps to protect its residents and prevent the further spread of cholera.”