Tag: Cholera

Bauchi State has recorded 58 deaths and 528 new cases of cholera across 14 of its 20 Local Government Areas, the State Government has confirmed.

 Deputy Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Auwak Jatau made the disclosure while inaugurating the State Cholera Steering and Technical Committees, urging members to approach their responsibilities with professionalism, urgency, and dedication.

 Jatau, who also chairs the committee, lamented that recurrent cholera outbreaks continue to claim lives, disrupt livelihoods, and strain the state’s health system. He noted that despite ongoing efforts by the government and its partners, cholera remains a significant public health threat.

 “The establishment of the Cholera Steering and Technical Committees is both timely and essential for achieving our goals,” he said, adding that the outbreaks “are often preventable through timely interventions, coordinated responses, and sustained improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).”

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 Jatau stated that the committees would serve as central coordinating bodies for Bauchi State’s multi-sectoral response to cholera, driving long-term prevention strategies aligned with the National Cholera Control Plan and the objectives of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

 The Deputy Governor described the committee members’ nomination as recognition of their expertise and strategic importance.

 He expressed confidence that they would ensure effective surveillance, early detection, and rapid response to outbreaks.

 He also assured health partners of Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to providing the necessary support and enabling environment for the programmes.

 Also speaking at the event, WaterAid State Team Lead Mr. Mashat Mallo said the organisation is working with the government to minimise cholera outbreaks.

 He noted that the inauguration of the committees would accelerate efforts to prevent future cases and called on the government to improve access to clean water and hygiene services as a critical step in safeguarding public health.

 Commissioner of Health and Chairman of the technical committee, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam, pledged a coordinated and sustained response to prevent future outbreaks. “We are committed to protecting the health of our citizens,” he said, describing the inauguration as a renewed push to strengthen Bauchi State’s public health framework.

The Bauchi State Government has confirmed 58 deaths and 528 new cases of cholera across 14 of its 20 Local Government Areas.

Deputy Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Auwal Jatau disclosed this while inaugurating the State Cholera Steering and Technical Committees, which he chairs. 

He urged members to carry out their duties with urgency, professionalism, and dedication.

Jatau lamented that recurrent cholera outbreaks continue to claim lives, disrupt livelihoods, and strain the state’s health system despite ongoing interventions. 

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He described the newly inaugurated committees as timely, noting that they would serve as central coordinating bodies for Bauchi’s multi-sectoral response while driving long-term prevention strategies aligned with the National Cholera Control Plan and NCDC objectives.

WaterAid State Team Lead, Mr. Mashat Mallo, pledged continued collaboration with the government, stressing the need to improve access to clean water and hygiene services as a critical step in safeguarding public health.

Commissioner of Health and Chairman of the technical committee, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, assured of a sustained and coordinated response to protect citizens, describing the inauguration as a renewed push to strengthen the state’s public health framework.

As the rainy season begins, leading public health experts have warned of an imminent surge in cholera and other infectious diseases.

They said widespread poor sanitation, stagnant water, and inadequate waste disposal are key risk factors in the spread of diseases in the course of the wet season.

A public health expert at the University of Ilorin (UNILOEIN) and former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Prof. Tanimola Akande, said the country’s deteriorating environmental hygiene is setting the stage for the outbreaks of cholera, malaria, typhoid, and other diarrhoeal diseases.

“Environmental hygiene has not improved significantly in Nigeria, and therefore, outbreaks of cholera are expected to continue,” he said. “Faecal matter easily washes into water sources during heavy rains, contaminating drinking water and increasing the risk of cholera and typhoid.”

Akande described the rainy season as a double-edged sword: crucial for agriculture but exposes communities to severe health risks.

He warned that poor drainage systems, blocked gutters, and indiscriminate dumping of wastes create ideal breeding grounds for disease vectors, like mosquitoes and houseflies.

Also, the Director of Environmental Health Management in Ogun State, Dr. Onaeko Wemimo, echoed similat concerns.

Wemimo listed malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, and leptospirosis as other major threats.

“Rain encourages the accumulation of stagnant water, a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other vectors,” he said.

According to him, the rise of dengue fever in Nigeria is linked to climate change and weak vector control measures.

Both physicians stressed that many of these health issues are preventable yet persist due to policy gaps, poor sanitation infrastructure, and low public awareness.

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They called for urgent action by individuals, communities, and governments to prevent a looming public health crisis.

“Unless Nigerians begin to take environmental sanitation more seriously, the health burden from these preventable diseases will keep rising,” Wemimo warned.

The health expert urged residents to eliminate stagnant water around their homes, use insect repellents, fix broken window and door screens, and treat puddles with used engine oil to prevent mosquito breeding.

He also cautioned against eating from unhygienic food vendors, stressing the importance of food and water safety.

Both experts recommended avoiding overcrowded places during the season, wearing properly dried clothing to prevent fungal infections, and boosting immunity with good nutrition and hygiene practices.

They also highlighted the role of government in empowering sanitary inspectors, strengthening waste collection systems, and intensifying public health education through media campaigns, community mobilisation, and partnerships with traditional and religious leaders.

“Rainy season diseases can be brutal, but they are avoidable,” Wemimo said. “It all starts with awareness and taking responsibility for our health and environment.”

As Nigeria enters the peak of its rainy season, leading public health experts are warning of an imminent surge in cholera and other infectious diseases, citing widespread poor sanitation, stagnant water, and inadequate waste disposal as key risk factors.

A public health expert at the University of Ilorin and former national chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Professor Tanimola Akande, said the country’s deteriorating environmental hygiene is setting the stage for outbreaks of cholera, malaria, typhoid, and diarrhoeal diseases.

“Environmental hygiene has not improved significantly in Nigeria, and therefore, outbreaks of cholera are expected to continue,” he said. “Faecal matter easily washes into water sources during heavy rain, contaminating drinking water and increasing the risk of cholera and typhoid.”

Akande described the rainy season as a double-edged sword, while crucial for agriculture, it exposes communities to severe health risks. 

He warned that poor drainage systems, blocked gutters, and indiscriminate dumping of waste create ideal breeding grounds for disease vectors like mosquitoes and houseflies.

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Director of Environmental Health Management in Ogun State, Dr Onaeko Wemimo, echoed these concerns, listing malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, and leptospirosis as other major threats. 

“Rain encourages the accumulation of stagnant water, a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other vectors,” he said, adding that the rise of dengue fever in Nigeria is linked to climate change and weak vector control measures.

Both physicians stressed that many of these health issues are preventable but persist due to policy gaps, poor sanitation infrastructure, and low public awareness. 

They called for urgent action by individuals, communities, and governments to prevent a looming public health crisis.

“Unless Nigerians begin to take environmental sanitation more seriously, the health burden from these preventable diseases will keep rising,” Wemimo warned.

He urged residents to eliminate stagnant water around their homes, use insect repellents, fix broken window and door screens, and treat puddles with used engine oil to prevent mosquito breeding. 

He also cautioned against eating from unhygienic food vendors, stressing the importance of food and water safety.

Both experts recommended avoiding overcrowded places during the season, wearing properly dried clothing to prevent fungal infections, and boosting immunity with good nutrition and hygiene practices.

They also highlighted the role of government in empowering sanitary inspectors, strengthening waste collection systems, and intensifying public health education through media campaigns, community mobilisation, and partnerships with traditional and religious leaders.

“Rainy season diseases can be brutal, but they are avoidable,” Wemimo said. “It all starts with awareness and taking responsibility for our health and environment.”

The Rivers State government has announced the death of nine individuals following a suspected cholera outbreak in Andoni and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.

Dr Ada Oreh, the state Commissioner for Health, confirmed the development on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

She said that three deaths occurred in Andoni, while six others were recorded in Akuku-Toru, with 41 suspected cases currently under monitoring across the two areas.

“We urge the public not to panic, as the state government has already implemented measures to contain this outbreak,” Oreh said.

The commissioner noted that health officials were conducting tests to determine definitively whether the deaths were caused by cholera.

She, however, said: “The symptoms observed align with the surveillance case definition for the disease.

“The ministry is also investigating a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea caused by cholera in the Isiodun community in Andoni LGA.

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“The symptoms analysed are consistent with cholera.”

According to Oreh, the bacteria responsible for cholera thrives in environments lacking access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygienic conditions.

She said that the bacteria could be transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water or food and contact with infected surfaces.

“Rivers are particularly prone to outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea and cholera during the dry seasons.

“This poses significant public health challenges due to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with such outbreaks.

“The ministry, in collaboration with its partners and the authorities in Andoni LGA, has activated emergency response measures.

“Our rapid response team has also been deployed to the affected areas to enhance disease surveillance, strengthen case detection in health facilities, and supply essential supplies to the communities,” Oreh stated.