Nigeria’s Federal government Wednesday indicated that the country is at risk for a cholera outbreak after the death toll from the disease hit 352 out of the over 6,400 cases recorded between January and August.
Although the cholera outbreaks mainly affected Nigeria’s northwest and northeast regions, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) indicated that epidemiological evidence gives reason to believe that the entire country is at risk, according to The Guardian Nigeria.
Out of 11 affected states, Bauchi in the north central part of the country had the most recorded cases reaching 1,725 and 53 deaths, affecting eight local governments.
Other northeastern states with high numbers of cases include; Gombe with 1,188 cases and 59 deaths; Borno with 1,090 cases and 80 deaths; Adamawa: 986 cases and 56 deaths; Cross River: 557 cases and 24 deaths, and Yobe: 458 cases and 46 deaths.
“FMOH will procure at least two four-wheel drive vehicles for surveillance, and other emergency and epidemic response activities,” said Rakiya Zubairu, Communication special assistant for the Minister of Health, according to The Guardian Nigeria.
The health ministry will also establish public health laboratories in affected states.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said that flooding caused by heavy rains has caused this year’s cholera outbreak to spread to most states, according to Nigerian newspaper Vanguard.
Although the cholera outbreaks mainly affected Nigeria’s northwest and northeast regions, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) indicated that epidemiological evidence gives reason to believe that the entire country is at risk, according to The Guardian Nigeria.
Out of 11 affected states, Bauchi in the north central part of the country had the most recorded cases reaching 1,725 and 53 deaths, affecting eight local governments.
Other northeastern states with high numbers of cases include; Gombe with 1,188 cases and 59 deaths; Borno with 1,090 cases and 80 deaths; Adamawa: 986 cases and 56 deaths; Cross River: 557 cases and 24 deaths, and Yobe: 458 cases and 46 deaths.
“FMOH will procure at least two four-wheel drive vehicles for surveillance, and other emergency and epidemic response activities,” said Rakiya Zubairu, Communication special assistant for the Minister of Health, according to The Guardian Nigeria.
The health ministry will also establish public health laboratories in affected states.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said that flooding caused by heavy rains has caused this year’s cholera outbreak to spread to most states, according to Nigerian newspaper Vanguard.
