CHOLERA OUTBREAK : 13 DEAD, 236 HOSPITALIZED IN NIGER

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BY UTHMAN ALIYU

A cholera epidemic in six local government regions in Niger State has allegedly resulted in 13 fatalities and necessitated the hospitalization of more than 236 additional inhabitants.

The epidemic, initially announced on Sunday in the Shiroro Local Government Area, has subsequently disseminated to Bosso, Minna, Magama, Bida, and Munya LGAs, with health authorities verifying increasing cases throughout the impacted councils.

Reports indicated that Chanchaga (Minna), Bosso, and Shiroro were among the most severely affected regions, necessitating an urgent health intervention from the state administration.

The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, validated the emergence and stated that the state had implemented a multi-faceted strategy to mitigate the transmission.

According to him, treatment and isolation centres had been established in each of the affected LGAs.

“We have set up treatment and isolation centres to mitigate the spread, and we are also embarking on aggressive sensitisation campaigns,” Dangana stated.

“The awareness drive is targeting religious bodies such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Islamic groups, and the eight emirates in the state,” he added.

To strengthen the containment initiative, the state administration has inaugurated an isolation facility at the former section of the Late Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta Primary Healthcare Centre located on Old Airport Road in Minna.

Dangana also commended Governor Umaru Bago for his swift intervention and appreciated the support of donor agencies assisting the state.

Supporting the commissioner’s assertion, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Tertiary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, validated that Minna, Bosso, and Shiroro continued to be the focal points of the outbreak.

It was, however, learnt that health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts intensify to prevent further loss of lives.