Bauchi, Kano worst hit as NCDC records 1,786 suspected cholera cases in 7 days

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says six states reported 1,786 suspected cases of cholera between June 20 and 26.

Ihekweazu disclosed this while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

He listed the states as Bauchi, 1,239 cases; Kano, 362 cases; Niger, 62 cases; Zamfara, 55 cases; Kaduna, 59 cases and Plateau, nine cases.

Ihekweazu said that in the preceding week of June 13 to June 19, five states, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau and Zamfara reported 1,757 suspected cases.

He said Bauchi State reported 900 cases, Kano State reported 575 cases, Kaduna State reported 70 cases, Plateau reported 98 cases, while Zamfara reported 114 cases.

Ihekweazu said that between January 2021 and June 27, a total of 14, 343 suspected cases of cholera were reported from 15 states and the FCT — with 325 deaths.

The affected states are Benue, Delta, Zamfara, Gombe, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Kebbi, Cross-River, Nasarawa, Niger and the FCT.

NCDC’s Situation Report on cholera indicates that 27.6 per cent of victims across the country are those in the five years to 14 years bracket.

The report also indicates that 51 per cent of the suspected cases and male, while 49 per cent are female.

Ihekweazu also told NAN that a multi-sectorial national emergency operations centre coordinates the cholera national response activities.

“The EOC is co-led by the Federal Ministry of Environment and that of Water Resources given the link between cholera, water, sanitation and hygiene,” he said.

“The centre has been supporting states to ensure a coordinated, rapid and effective response to the current outbreak.

“This includes the deployment of National Rapid Response Teams to support the response at the state level, provision of medical and laboratory supplies, and scale-up of risk communications amongst other activities.”

Ihekweazu said that the NCDC would continue to support states to intensify their cholera outbreak responses, noting that the risk of death from cholera was higher when treatment was delayed.

He advised Nigerians to boil and store water in clean and safe containers before drinking. And to wash their 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.