The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that the cholera outbreak has spread to 33 states and that 63 deaths have been reported in the last few weeks, adding to the already dire circumstances surrounding the latest outbreak in Nigeria.
The information was revealed on Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja by Dr. Jide Idris, the director general of the NCDC.
He emphasized the stark increase in cases over the prior NCDC report, which was made public on June 24 and said the pandemic was limited to 31 states, 107 LGAs, and 54 fatalities.
He claimed that almost 90% of the cases that have been reported thus far have been in 10 states: Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Delta.
However, he did affirm that the National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been created, enlisting the help of a few professionals to provide strategic coordination, and that the center meets every day to present stakeholders with periodic situation reports.
โThis has ensured effective mobilization, harmonization and distribution of resources to support the affected states, and they are done through the relevant thematic areas of the response that cover coordination, surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Vaccination, Logistics, Research, with a costed Incidence Action Plan for the response developed and being implemented.โ
He expressed optimism that these measures would aid in expediting communication, analyzing data, and making decisions. They will also guarantee the appropriate allocation of resources, fortify surveillance and diagnostic capabilities, improve the care of impacted individuals, and escalate public awareness and community involvement initiatives.
The director of the NCDC stated that the agency had assessed the capacity and readiness for cholera in 22 states with high rates of infection through the National Cholera Technical Working Group prior to the activation of the EOC, and that the states had been informed of the gaps found so that they could direct their pre-epidemic preparedness efforts.
He urged all parties involvedโgovernment organizations, actors operating at the subnational level, partners, civil society organizations, medical experts, local leaders, and each and every citizenโto step up their efforts in containing the disease and averting more fatalities.
Along with reminding medical professionals to always use gloves while handling patients or tending to a sick patient or relative, he also emphasized the importance of stepping up surveillance to quickly report suspected instances of cholera.
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