A cholera outbreak has led to the deaths of at least 12 people and the hospitalisation of over 230 others across multiple Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Niger State, Nigeria.
The outbreak, initially detected on Sunday in Shiroro LGA, has since spread to five other LGAs—Minna, Bosso, Magama, Bisa, and Munya. As of Wednesday, health officials confirmed that 239 individuals were receiving treatment in various primary healthcare centres.
To combat the spread, the Niger State Government has opened an isolation centre at the old wing of the Late Sen. Idris Kuta Primary Healthcare Centre in Minna.
Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, stated, “We have established treatment and isolation centres in the affected LGAs to contain the outbreak. Aggressive sensitisation campaigns are ongoing, targeting religious organisations like CAN and Islamic groups, as well as the eight emirates in the state.”
He commended Governor Mohammed Bago for his swift intervention and acknowledged the assistance of donor agencies in addressing the crisis.
Dr Ibrahim Idris, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Tertiary Healthcare, also weighed in on the situation, identifying Chanchaga, Minna, Bosso, and Shiroro as the most severely affected areas.
The government has deployed a multi-sectoral response team to contain the disease and reduce fatalities.
