‘175 killed, 10,000 hospitalised’ in fresh Cholera outbreak in north-east

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) says cholera has killed 175 people in Borno, Adamawa state and Yobe states.

According to the council, about 10,000 people have also been hospitalised in the three states.

It attributed the cholera outbreak to crowded internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and host communities.

In a statement on Tuesday, Janet Chenero, programme manager of NRC, said there is urgent need for improved hygiene facilities to combat the deadly cholera outbreaks.

Chenero said the congestion in camps has made it difficult to provide adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services.

She added that the rainy season had also worsened the conditions in camps and host communities.

“Number of displaced persons affected by cholera has shot up to 10,000. The disease is spreading quickly in congested IDP camps with limited access to proper sanitation facilities,” she said.

Cherono noted that the number of deaths resulting from the disease is higher than what would be expected in a situation where efficient treatment is available.

She called on the authorities to provide more space in camps and host communities for the construction of new water and sanitation facilities.

“If more land is not urgently provided for camp de-congestion and construction of health and sanitation facilities, Nigeria is steering towards yet another cholera outbreak in 2019,” she said.

Meanwhile, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said Maiduguri has the highest concentration of IDPs, with 243,000 camp-like settlements and crowded host communities.

The organisation said as a result of the concentration, the displaced persons defecate in the open which in turn, causes water borne diseases.