FOLLOWING the recent flooding that ravaged parts of Adamawa State, the Yola North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state has recorded a cholera outbreak.
Speaking on the crisis, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the outbreak resulted in the death of seven people while 71 others were hospitalised.
The agency in a statement on Tuesday, September 17, via its X handle said the outbreak was a result of the flood that contaminated the communities’ drinking water sources.
Cholera, an endemic disease, is still one of the major diseases affecting Nigerians, particularly in the rural regions. It is largely caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.
The disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is an acute diarrheal infection characterised, in its severe form, by extreme watery diarrhoea and potentially fatal dehydration.
According to NEMA, as of September 16, 71 patients were receiving treatment, with over 100 under observation, and seven confirmed dead.
“The National Emergency Management Agency has responded to a suspected cholera outbreak in Yola North LGA of Adamawa State, affecting the communities of Alkalawa, Doubeli, Rumde, and Gwadabawa.
“As of September 16, 2024, 71 patients have been hospitalised, with over 100 under observation, and seven confirmed deaths. The outbreak is attributed to a recent flood disaster that contaminated the primary drinking water source. Due to the overflow at the isolation centre, some patients are being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the agency said it had initiated emergency measures, including chlorinating toilets and providing water treatment to reduce the spread of infection, in collaboration with the state government.
“They have also conducted community education to raise awareness about the disease. NEMA is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with stakeholders for timely intervention,” the statement added.
Cholera outbreak
Nigeria has continued to battle with the re-emergence of the cholera outbreak since the beginning of 2024, with suspected cases and deaths from the disease, particularly in Lagos, rising.
In its recent data, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported 7,056 suspected cases of cholera and 204 suspected cases of deaths in 36 states across 271 LGAs.
Children under five have been the most hit by the outbreak, followed by people aged 25 to 34.
Among all suspected cases, 53 per cent are male, while 47 per cent are female.
Lagos State, with 4,234 suspected cases, accounts for 60 per cent of all reported cases in Nigeria.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M