NCDC Sets Up Emergency Centre To Curb Cholera Outbreak In Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, in a bid to curb the increasing cases of cholera outbreak across the country has set up a multi-sectoral National Cholera Emergency Operations Centre in the country.

The Director-General, NCDC Chikwe Ihekweazu, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Recall, THE WHISTLER had reported cases of deaths caused by the cholera infection in some part sof the country.

For example, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Aliyu Maigoro confirmed that the state recorded about 20 deaths from cholera outbreak in the state.

This was shortly followed by the report of three deaths at the Kubwa General Hospital, as a result of cholera infection.

The NCDC in the statement said that in the last one month, increasing number of cholera cases have also been reported across the states.

The most affected states are Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Zamfara, Bayelsa and Kaduna.

He said, “The EOC is co-led with the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, given the link between cholera and water, sanitation and hygiene.

“The National EOC has been supporting states to ensure a coordinated, rapid, and effective response to the ongoing outbreak.

“This includes the deployment of National Rapid Response Teams (RRT) to support the response at the state level, provision of medical and laboratory supplies, scale-up of risk communications amongst other activities.”

He also explained that efforts are ongoing to strenghten the response to the cholera outbreak, through the digitalisation of the national surveillance system, establishment of laboratories and treatment centres and training of health workers, among others.

According to him, cholera is a preventable and treatable epidemic-prone disease that is transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

While noting the high chances of deaths from delayed treatment of infected persons, the DG stressed on the need to seek quick assistance from health workers.

“Boil and store water in a clean and safe container before drinking. Prepare, cook and store food safely.

“Wash hands frequently with soap under clean running water to prevent infectious diseases including cholera.

“This is especially important after defecation and before handling food or eating.

“Avoid open defecation and indiscriminate refuse dumping which contribute to the spread of cholera.

“Visit a health facility immediately if you have symptoms such as watery diarrhoea,” he said.