Cholera Hits Yobe: 9 Dead, 132 Cases Confirmed

Yobe Records 132 Cholera Cases, 9 Fatalities

“No fewer than 112 patients were treated and discharged, while nine others, representing 6.8 percent, sadly...”

Yobe State battles cholera outbreak - 132 confirmed cases, 9 fatalities reported. Health Commissioner Dr. Mohammed Gana urges stakeholders to join forces to curb spread.

Yobe State has been battling a cholera outbreak, with 132 recorded cases and nine fatalities as of September 25, according to Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Mohammed Gana. The outbreak has spread across multiple areas, including the Gubja, Fune, Machina, Nangere, and Nguru Local Government Areas.

Dr. Gana disclosed this information in a statement issued on September 27 in Damaturu, highlighting the need for timely medical intervention to combat the outbreak effectively. The commissioner also called for collaboration among health sector partners, religious and traditional leaders, and the general public to address the cholera crisis.

Affected Areas:

• Gubja Local Government Area
• Fune Local Government Area
• Machina Local Government Area
• Nangere Local Government Area
• Nguru Local Government Area

It's worth noting that Yobe is not alone in this struggle, as cholera outbreaks have been reported in over 35 states in Nigeria, resulting in 4,809 suspected cases and 156 deaths as of July 21, 2024. The World Health Organization and other partners have been providing technical assistance, facilitating vaccine procurement, and supporting control strategies to combat the outbreak.

“No fewer than 112 patients were treated and discharged, while nine others, representing 6.8 percent, sadly died due to the delay in accessing medical services,” Gana said.

The cholera outbreak in Yobe State was officially confirmed after laboratory tests at the National Disease Control Centre and the University of Maiduguri detected Vibrio cholerae in stool samples from patients suffering from Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD). This confirmation process typically involves rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to identify the presence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. The tests were crucial in verifying the outbreak, which enabled the authorities to initiate a prompt response to contain the spread of the disease.

He said, “It has now been confirmed that some of the cases were due to Vibrio cholera, the bacteria that causes cholera.

“With the current heavy rainfall and consequent flooding, a lot of road networks in the state have been damaged.

“Potable water supply is disrupted, which is compounded by contamination of the water sources in these areas, subsequently resulting in upsurge in cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD).

“This is compounded by difficulties in delivery of services to those locations.”

Dr. Mohammed Gana, Yobe's Commissioner for Health and Human Services, has urged key stakeholders, including health sector partners, religious and traditional leaders, and the general public, to collaborate with the state government in combating the cholera outbreak. This call to action aims to leverage collective expertise and resources to effectively contain the spread of the disease.

Some essential areas for collaboration include:

Timely Medical Intervention: Ensuring prompt treatment for affected individuals to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Improved Access to Clean Water: Addressing the contamination of water sources exacerbated by heavy rains and flooding.

Enhanced Surveillance: Strengthening reporting and monitoring systems to track the outbreak's progression.

Community Engagement: Raising awareness about cholera prevention and control measures through risk communication.

Stakeholder partnerships can amplify the state's cholera response, ensuring a swift and effective containment of the outbreak.

“This declaration, therefore, is a clarion call on all the health sector partners, religious and traditional leaders as well as the citizens to join hands with the state government and its agencies to curb the menace of cholera.

“At this point, I urge all our international, national and local partners to bring their full expertise to support the cholera response effort in the state," the commissioner appealed.