61 die from 1,759 Cholera cases in Yobe
Nine suspected new cases of Cholera has been reported in Yobe State in Nigeria’s North-East, showing a marginal increase in the number of cases reported in the state.
Dr. Collins Owili, the Emergency Manager, World Health Organisation, Maiduguri office on Thursday, disclosed that the total number of suspected Cholera cases reported in Yobe state is now 1,759 with 61 associated deaths (CFR 3.47 per cent).
“In the state, 576 cases have been reported in Gulani LGA, 485 cases in Gujba LGA and 450 cases in Damaturu LGA. In Fune LGA, 181 cases were reported and 67 cases were reported in Potiskum LGA. Out of 97 samples collected and tested using cholera RDTs, 82 (84.5%) were positive and 15 (15%) were negative.
“Again, 9 (47%) out of 19 samples cultured were positive for Vibrio Cholerae. However, the 9 positive samples were taken to national reference laboratory for quality checks and further analysis samples and Vibrio Cholerae O1 (Inaba) serotype was isolated in 4 out of the 9 samples,” Collins said.
He stated that compared with that of the previous day, “three cases were reported from Gulani, six cases were reported from Damaturu. No case has been reported from Gujba in six days, none was reported from Fune in about two weeks while Potiskum has not reported any case in over six weeks”.
Owili said the WHO have continued line-listing of all suspected Cholera cases within the city and neighboring communities and have also continued retroactive case search in communities and health facilities using: MSF-Volunteers, EHA, HTR and LGA RRT team in Gulani, Gujba, Fune and Damaturu.
“We have conducted investigation of new suspected cases from 2 LGAs (Damaturu and Gulani) and have also supported EHAs and MFS volunteers conducted house-house active case search in Gujba, Gulani, Fune, Potiskum and Damaturu reaching up to 415 households, no suspected cholera case was identified.
“Priority areas have been identified and communicated to WASH and risk communication teams to scale-up interventions. We have also continues sensitization of Islamiyya and Tsangaya school in Galani, Gujba and Damaturu. Airing of radio jingles by Yobe Radio Broadcasting Corporation has continued across the state,” he said.
Collins also stated that UNICEF, AHH, MWR and RUWASA continue response activities in affected location through bucket to bucket chlorination, clearing of drainage and refuges, and disinfection of households. He added that Wash Teams and WHO-supported volunteers have disinfected 15 households in Gulani and Damaturu.
Speaking on coordination, he said LGA RRTs in Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu and Fune LGA conducted daily local coordination meetings, and provided updates to state RRT to mobilize additional resources and technical supports
“Daily coordination meetings were consistently being chaired by SMOH at the state level to ensure robust and effective response activities,” Collins added.
