Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

At least eight people have died from an outbreak of cholera in one of the camps for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Biu Borno State, an official of the Nigerian Red Cross at the camp said on Thursday.

Three more persons were said to have recently died, adding to the initial five persons and over 100 persons are said to have been infected with the disease.

The official, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to address the Press, said about 30 persons out of the initial 100 affected by the disease have so far fully recovered.

He also disclosed that the others were gradually recovering and responding to treatment being offered by the joint team of the Borno state health workers, National Emergency Management Agency, N EMA and the Red Cross.

He, however, lamented that inadequate drugs and vaccinations at the camp is frustrating work, adding that a medical team and other auxiliary staff have been doing their best to control and treat the epidemic.

When contacted, the ministry of health in Maiduguri declined comments on the matter on the excuse that only the state commissioner of health, Salma Anas Kolo, can offer official statements on the matter.