Cholera outbreak: Kebbi confirms 146 deaths

The Kebbi epidemic rapid response team says 146 people have died following the cholera outbreak in the state.

Aminun Haliru-Bunza, leader of the team and permanent secretary, Kebbi ministry of health, disclosed this on Thursday, when the team briefed Atiku Bagudu and Samaila Yombe-Dabai, governor and deputy governor of Kebbi, respectively, on the cholera outbreak in the state.

According to NAN, the team met the governor and his deputy at the council chambers of the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

Haliru-Bunza, who is also the chief medical director (CMD) of Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi, said a total of 2,208 cases of diarrhea and vomiting were reported between January and August this year.

“Between January and August, 2021, 2,208 cases of diarrhea and vomiting have been reported in 20 out of 21 local government areas of the state, out of which 55 samples were tested and 26 turned out positive,” he said.

“A total of 146 deaths have been reported across the state. However, the team clarified that for cholera, a single confirmed case is termed as an outbreak (epidemic) of cholera in an area.”

While calling on the general public to observe personal and environmental hygiene, the team advised residents to also avoid open defecation.