Open Defecation, Poor Waste Disposal Fueling Cholera Deaths In Niger–Commissioner

The Niger State Government has said that over 100 cholera related deaths have been recorded across the 25 local government areas of the state in the past five months.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health and Hospital Services, Mohammed MakunSidi.

According to him, the number of deaths could be attributed to the increasing rate of open defecation and poor waste disposal practices in the state, especially in the rural areas.

He said, “Over 100 persons have died from the outbreak of cholera across the 25 local government areas from April to date in Niger State.”

This is as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control data shows that as of September 5, 2021, Nigeria has recorded 2,323 deaths across the country.

According to the NCDC, cholera infection has been prevalent in over 20 states including; Adamawa, Zamfara, Jigawa, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna.

Others include; Enugu, Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi, Kogi, Kwara, Kano, Niger, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and FCT.

MakunSidi also added that those infected should seek medical treatment from the public health centres in their communities.