The Yola North Local Government Area in Adamawa has reported a cholera outbreak in the region.
The outbreak has claimed the lives of four individuals, while 36 others are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals.
This was disclosed by the council chairman, Jibrin Ibrahim, during a press briefing on Sunday, following his visit to the victims at the Infectious Disease Centre, IDC, in Yola.
He said the outbreak was recorded in Alkalawa, Ajiya and Limawa wards in the area.
“No fewer than 20 victims were reported in the morning, but now there are more than 40 cases, and four have died.
“A good number of them have been stabilised as they have been receiving attention by the health workers,” he said.
Ibrahim expressed his gratitude for the swift response from health workers, the Red Cross, and international partners.
He explained that the suspected outbreak was likely caused by contaminated water due to flooding in certain areas.
He urged the public to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, ensure access to safe drinking water, and thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits before consumption.
Recall that Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced that cholera vaccines will soon be arriving in Nigeria.
This statement was made during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
Prof. Pate revealed that the vaccines have been ordered through the Global Vaccine Alliance and are expected to arrive within a few weeks.
“We have ordered the vaccines through the Global Vaccine Alliance. They have approved it,” he said.
“We are expecting them in the next couple of weeks so that they will be utilized in the areas that are hotspots.”
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, has been the hardest hit by the recent cholera outbreak.
(NAN)
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