Maiduguri Floods Turn Deadly: Cholera Outbreak Prompts Mass Vaccination

Maiduguri Floods Spark Cholera, Mass Vaccination Underway

“The immunisation that started on September 25 was 96 percent successful...”

Borno State fights cholera outbreak after devastating Maiduguri floods. 287,708 vaccinated, no deaths reported.

At least 17 confirmed cholera cases have been reported in Maiduguri, Borno State, following recent floods in the area. Fortunately, no deaths have been recorded so far, according to Professor Baba Gana, the state's Commissioner for Health.

The Borno State Government has taken proactive measures to contain the outbreak, having already vaccinated 287,708 people against cholera. This swift action is crucial in preventing further spread of the disease. In fact, the state has experience in managing cholera outbreaks, having successfully contained a 4-month outbreak in 2022 that recorded 12,496 confirmed cases and 394 deaths.

The government's efforts are commendable, especially considering the state's vulnerability to cholera due to its endemic nature in Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also provided support in the past, donating emergency equipment and strengthening disease surveillance. With continued collaboration and vigilance, the state should be able to manage this outbreak effectively.

“We have 451 suspected cases discovered in Maiduguri, Jere, Konduga, Mafa and Monguno local government areas,” he said.

“We took the samples to the National reference laboratory, out of which 17 were positive for cholera.”

Borno State has taken proactive measures to combat the cholera outbreak by administering Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) to its most vulnerable residents. The state received 300,000 doses of OCV from the Federal Ministry of Health, and impressively, 287,708 of those doses have already been given to mothers, children, and other at-risk individuals.

This swift action is crucial in preventing further spread of the disease, especially considering cholera's endemic nature in Nigeria. The state's efforts are also aligned with previous successful vaccination campaigns, such as the one held between May 31 and June 1, 2017, where the Nigeria government conducted a cholera preparedness workshop.

“The immunisation that started on September 25 was 96 percent successful,” Gana added.

“We are expecting 600,000 additional doses of the OCV to reach out to areas with suspected cases of cholera.”

The devastating floods in Maiduguri, Borno State, have prompted swift action from the state government to prevent a cholera outbreak. Following the breach of the Alau Dam in neighboring Konduga Local Government Area, severe flash flooding affected over 239,000 people, causing deaths, destruction, and displacement. The floods, which occurred in September, left most of Maiduguri submerged in water for days, with areas such as Gwange, Bama Road, and Maiduguri Zoo severely impacted.

In response to the crisis, the state government, led by Professor Baba Gana, Commissioner for Health, took proactive measures to prevent cholera. These efforts included administering Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) to vulnerable residents, with 287,708 doses already distributed. The government's swift action is crucial in preventing further spread of the disease, especially considering cholera's endemic nature in Nigeria.

Key Affected Areas:

• Gwange
• Bama Road
• Maiduguri Zoo
• Post office
• State Secretariat
• Lagos Street
• Shehu's palace
• Maiduguri Main Market
• Customs / Gamboru areas
• Budum
• Specialist Hospital
• Post Office general area

Cholera Prevention Efforts:

The state government's measures against cholera include vaccinating mothers, children, and other vulnerable individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also pledged support to flood-displaced persons in Borno State, addressing health concerns and providing essential services.