Not less than 60 people have died of cholera in many communities in Katsina state. The state also recorded over 1,400 confirmed cases of the disease.
The latest development was revealed by the state’s commissioner for Health, Yakubu Danja who disclosed the unfortunate incident at the 2021 Annual General meeting of the State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) which was held at the state capital. The commissioner however, did not give the period during which the data was taken.
Danja also stated that orientation programmes centered around prevention and management were underway across the 34 Local government areas of the state. He added that several medications had been acquired as part the government’s effort to curtail the spread of the cholera outbreak.
“We are aware of the current outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting that is affecting some communities in the state. The state government is making efforts towards control of the outbreak,” the commissioner said.
“Free drugs for the treatment of this outbreak are been purchased for distribution to hospitals for treatment of the cases.
“Health education on prevention and management of the disease is ongoing. Active case search and surveillance is also ongoing across the state.
“Presently, we have over 1,400 confirmed cases of cholera with over 60 recorded deads. Let me seize this opportunity to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that diarrhea and vomiting is a preventable disease.”
The commissioner for Health encouraged residents of the communities to ensure proper environmental sanitation, frequent hand washing, proper food hygiene, washing of all fruits and vegetables before eating as well as proper cooking of food items.
