Cholera: Death Toll Rises To 63 In Nigeria

A cholera outbreak has spread across 33 states and 122 local government areas in Nigeria, resulting in 63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cases, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The highly contagious disease is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and the surge in cases is attributed to the ingestion of Vibrio cholerae.

Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, disclosed the figures during a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting a case fatality rate of 3.0%.

The affected states are mainly in the southern region, with Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Delta accounting for approximately 90% of the cases.

To combat the outbreak, the National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre has been activated, bringing together experts from various fields to coordinate a strategic response.

The Centre conducts daily meetings and issues regular situation reports to stakeholders, ensuring efficient resource deployment and harmonization.

The response efforts focus on coordination, surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, community engagement, water sanitation and hygiene, vaccination logistics, and research.

An Incident Action Plan has been developed and implemented to streamline these efforts, enabling rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making.

The measures aim to optimize resource deployment, enhance surveillance capabilities, improve treatment for affected individuals, and intensify public awareness and community engagement initiatives across the affected regions.

The NCDC is working closely with affected states to contain the outbreak, and the public is advised to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cholera.

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