CDC, AFENET DEPLOY RAPID RESPONSE TEAM, SUPPLIES TO TACKLE CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN ZAMFARA

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) have deployed a rapid response team to Zamfara State to curb the spread of cholera.

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The outbreak, which began on January 15, has so far affected all 14 local government areas of the state, with more than 11,000 cases recorded and a case fatality rate of 1.6 per cent. Over 60 per cent of the cases have been reported in Talata Mafara, Gusau, Bungudu and Zurmi.

In a statement on Friday, the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Health, Suleiman Isah, described the outbreak as a major public health concern, worsened by insecurity and humanitarian challenges.

To strengthen the state’s response, seven Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP) residents and one graduate have been deployed for 14 days in high-burden areas. They will support surveillance, case management, and coordination with the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.

In addition to manpower, CDC and AFENET donated 29,500 essential medical items, including 40,000 medicines such as oral rehydration salts, Ringer’s lactate, dextrose water, and normal saline. The supplies also included 3,900 consumables like IV cannulas, gloves, and cotton wool; 500 infection prevention and control materials such as hand sanitiser and sodium hypochlorite; and 1,000 personal protective equipment items, including IV giving sets.

The Rapid Response Team Lead, Ahmad Aliyu, presented the supplies to Zamfara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Maradun, who described the support as “massive and one that will go a long way in controlling the outbreak.”

Maradun assured that the items would be distributed judiciously to achieve the desired objectives.