The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cholera

  • Cholera, Lassa fever kill 14 in Bauchi —Commissioner

    BAUCHI State Commissioner for Health, Zuwaira Hassan, on Friday, confirmed that 14 people died in the state following outbreak of cholera and Lassa fever. Hassan made this known while briefing newsmen at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi during her visit to the cholera quarantine ward. According to her, nine people died as a result of cholera outbreak, while Lassa fever claimed five lives. She said “since the outbreak of these epidemics, we have had a total of 324 cases of cholera and recorded nine deaths. “Right now, the cholera isolation centre is active and we have about 26 patients on admission who are being treated.”

    On Lassa fever, Hassan said there were 44 suspected cases, nine confirmed cases, while five persons had been confirmed dead so far.

    She stressed the need for proper hygiene and urged residents to avoid open defecation, saying faeces in open places could pass and mix with drinking water which was dangerous to health. She said community volunteers were out on sensitisation to educate the people on hygiene and environmental sanitation, while the state Ministry of Health chlorinated water and decontaminated the environment.

  • Zambia declares curfew in Lusaka slum struck by cholera

    Zambia declares curfew in Lusaka slum struck by cholera

    The Zambian Government has declared a  curfew in a poor Lusaka township badly affected by a cholera outbreak that has killed 58 people across the country since September.

    Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya told reporters that the curfew in Kanyama, a densely populated slum of iron-roofed shacks and winding dirt tracks, begins on Sunday and will run from between 1800 and 0600.

    The township has a population of 370,000 people.

    Street vending and public gatherings have been banned in Lusaka to prevent the spread of cholera but the residents of Kanyama have been defying this order in the evenings after soldiers deployed to clean the streets have left.

    “Kanyama has recorded the highest number of fatalities because of the poor compliance with interventions that have been put in place,” Chilufya said.

    The cholera outbreak was initially linked to contaminated water from shallow wells, but investigations indicated that contaminated food was the main culprit.

    Read Also: Relief as Abia lifts curfew

    Zambia on Thursday shut three of South African retailer Shoprite’s Hungry Lion fast-food restaurants after their food tested positive for the bacterium that causes cholera.

    Hungry Lion said on Saturday that the restaurants had been closed for disinfection and it hoped that the government would soon allow them to reopen.

    President Edgar Lungu on Dec. 30 directed the military to help to fight the spread of the waterborne disease.

    Cholera causes acute watery diarrhea.

    It can be treated with oral hydration solutions and antibiotics but spreads rapidly and can kill within hours if not treated.

  • Food and water poisoning: Cholera and other bacteria

    You may be forgiven to think that cholera no longer exists. In my teen years, cholera was a scourge in Nigeria so much that a very popular Juju musician ensured as part of his campaign to prevent the illness from spreading, sang an indelible memorial songs to cholera. Folks who lived through the 1970s and 1980’s will recall some of these songs.

    Cholera is a state of acute diarrhoea caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. Like all food and water poisoning, the disease of cholera develops from contamination of our food and water. About 140,000 people die of cholera yearly, world-wide.

    I had earlier explained last week’s, what is meant by incubation. In the case of cholera, the period is about 12 hours to five days. Few infection, if any, kills faster than cholera by reason that cholera drains the individual of water and nutrients within hours of its onset and death could set in speedily. Cholera kills faster than the deadly and fearful Ebola.  It affects both adult and children and like most illnesses, children are often most severely affected.

    What are the symptoms of cholera? It should be noted that not everyone who contracted the bacteria will progress to illness. Some may just feel ill in a mild way. In minority of cases, the symptom can be very severe and sudden: the principal symptom is watery diarrhoea— frequently going to move the bowel. Nothing stays in the gut. The songs which I mentioned above, made mention of frequent watery stools and bullet –like vomiting that shoots out of mouth. While vomiting may occur, the principal problem is diarrhoea.

    Treatment:  Thank goodness that cholera can easily be treated once recognised. The key is to rehydrate the sufferer. Therefore, everyone should be aware of and know how to prepare oral rehydration therapy (ORT). All nursing mothers should also take note of how to prepare ORT (or ORS). For cholera patients, the World Health Organisation/UNICEF ORS standard sachet is to have one sachet of ORS dissolved in one litre of clean water. The water could be boiled water that is allowed to cool down and the ORS poured in. Alternatively, ORS can be prepared by adding five cubes of sugar (five level of teaspoon) plus one level spoon of salt into one litre of water. Adult patients suffering from cholera may require up to 6 L of ORS to treat moderate dehydration on the first day.

    Other patients that are severely dehydrated will require intravenous fluid being given rapidly. For children, breast feeding should be continued and antibiotics be given to both adult and children.

    I cannot overemphasise the importance of accessing skilled medical treatment as soon as possible irrespective of ORS or not

    Prevention

    Again, as in the case of all food and water poisoning, prevention steps are very important in dealing with cholera and all forms of food poisoning.

    Cooked food that is stored anywhere, such as rice stored in the fridge, should be reheated thoroughly before eating. As in typhoid, clean your hands well after defeacating. Consuming only clean water and well-cooked food is the key to preventing cholera. Boil the water if necessary. Infected food handlers should be excluded from making or handling food until he or she is clinically cleared of the infection.

    However, like most things that is wrong with Nigeria, enforcement of basic rules and laws by designated responsible persons in private and public domains is clearly the weak point in any effort to deal with and reduce food poisoning illnesses.

    Vaccination: Cholera can be prevented by vaccination. There are three types of vaccines. All three require two doses for full protection.

    Other Bacteria Poisoning Our Food:

    In general, our food and water should not contain hostile bacteria, parasites and viruses. Any time we consume such germs, we will fall ill. Other bacteria that commonly affects our health through our food and water are E.coli and listeria. No matter the bacteria, the important thing we should be aware of is to maintain  personal food hygiene, wash and clean our vegetables, reheat cooked food that had been stored and avoid street-vendor foods. We should also take note that the mere fact that a food chain  on the high street, is popular does not give it a clean slate. We should exercise discretion in our food choices.

  • Food and water poisoning: Cholera and other bacteria

    Food and water poisoning: Cholera and other bacteria

    You may be forgiven to think that cholera no longer exists. In my teen years, cholera was a scourge in Nigeria so much that a very popular Juju musician ensured as part of his campaign to prevent the illness from spreading, sang an indelible memorial songs to cholera. Folks who lived through the 1970s and 1980’s will recall some of these songs.

    Cholera is a state of acute diarrhoea caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. Like all food and water poisoning, the disease of cholera develops from contamination of our food and water. About 140,000 people die of cholera yearly, world-wide.

    I had earlier explained last week’s, what is meant by incubation. In the case of cholera, the period is about 12 hours to five days. Few infection, if any, kills faster than cholera by reason that cholera drains the individual of water and nutrients within hours of its onset and death could set in speedily. Cholera kills faster than the deadly and fearful Ebola.  It affects both adult and children and like most illnesses, children are often most severely affected.

    What are the symptoms of cholera? It should be noted that not everyone who contracted the bacteria will progress to illness. Some may just feel ill in a mild way. In minority of cases, the symptom can be very severe and sudden: the principal symptom is watery diarrhoea— frequently going to move the bowel. Nothing stays in the gut. The songs which I mentioned above, made mention of frequent watery stools and bullet –like vomiting that shoots out of mouth. While vomiting may occur, the principal problem is diarrhoea.

    Treatment:  Thank goodness that cholera can easily be treated once recognised. The key is to rehydrate the sufferer. Therefore, everyone should be aware of and know how to prepare oral rehydration therapy (ORT). All nursing mothers should also take note of how to prepare ORT (or ORS). For cholera patients, the World Health Organisation/UNICEF ORS standard sachet is to have one sachet of ORS dissolved in one litre of clean water. The water could be boiled water that is allowed to cool down and the ORS poured in. Alternatively, ORS can be prepared by adding five cubes of sugar (five level of teaspoon) plus one level spoon of salt into one litre of water. Adult patients suffering from cholera may require up to 6 L of ORS to treat moderate dehydration on the first day.

    Other patients that are severely dehydrated will require intravenous fluid being given rapidly. For children, breast feeding should be continued and antibiotics be given to both adult and children.

    I cannot overemphasise the importance of accessing skilled medical treatment as soon as possible irrespective of ORS or not

    Prevention

    Again, as in the case of all food and water poisoning, prevention steps are very important in dealing with cholera and all forms of food poisoning.

    Cooked food that is stored anywhere, such as rice stored in the fridge, should be reheated thoroughly before eating. As in typhoid, clean your hands well after defeacating. Consuming only clean water and well-cooked food is the key to preventing cholera. Boil the water if necessary. Infected food handlers should be excluded from making or handling food until he or she is clinically cleared of the infection.

    However, like most things that is wrong with Nigeria, enforcement of basic rules and laws by designated responsible persons in private and public domains is clearly the weak point in any effort to deal with and reduce food poisoning illnesses.

    Vaccination: Cholera can be prevented by vaccination. There are three types of vaccines. All three require two doses for full protection.

    Other Bacteria Poisoning Our Food:

    In general, our food and water should not contain hostile bacteria, parasites and viruses. Any time we consume such germs, we will fall ill. Other bacteria that commonly affects our health through our food and water are E.coli and listeria. No matter the bacteria, the important thing we should be aware of is to maintain  personal food hygiene, wash and clean our vegetables, reheat cooked food that had been stored and avoid street-vendor foods. We should also take note that the mere fact that a food chain  on the high street, is popular does not give it a clean slate. We should exercise discretion in our food choices.

  • Anambra community hit by cholera

    Eleven persons have been hospitalised in Inoma, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, following the outbreak of cholera.

    The Ministry of Health has deployed a Rapid Response Team to assess reported cases.

    The team, despatched by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, is led by the State Disease Surveillance Officer (SDSNO) Adaora Ejikeme, accompanied by the State UNICEF Consultant, Didien Gbofemi.

    It’s brief is to stem the spread, and recommend measures at containing the disease.

    Eleven patients – five boys and six girls – about 10 years’ old, are on admission at the only health facility in the community.

    The patients, it was gathered yesterday, showed symptoms of excessive stooling, vomiting, acute dehydration and malnutrition.

    As part of intervention to control the outbreak, the team supplied anti-microbial medicines, such as Doxycycline tablets, flagyl infusions and tablets, ciprofloxacin tabs, ciprotab infusions, ceptraxone injections, among others.

    They also gave out water guard, needles and syringes and bags of water to the Inoma Health facility.

    The team also visited the monarch, Igwe Emmanuel Oluta, to sensitise him and his chiefs on prevention and control measures for cholera.

    A preliminary report showed that the main source of drinking water for the community is the contaminated stream.

  • Council begins cholera awareness campaign

    Following the confirmation of cholera outbreak in Araromi Community, the Department of Health, Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area has swung into action to contain its further spread.

    Three individuals have died as a result of the disease.

    The council’s chairman, Mayor Dele Oshinowo told the residents that the era of apportioning blame to government is gone, saying his administration is running an inclusive government where everyone is a partaker to ensure the right thing is done.

    He commiserated with the community over the loss of lives.

    His vice, who doubles as the Supervisor of Health, Alhaji Mufa Okusi appealed to residents to see the cleanliness of their environment as a non-negotiable task.

    Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Dr Adeleke Awolesi urged residents of the affected community to embrace a hygienic lifestyle.

    He enjoined them to ensure the source of their water is clean, warning against defecating indiscriminately.

    The council distributed antibiotic drugs and sanitisers to aid proper handwashing.

  • WHO asses cholera outbreak in Maiduguri

    WHO asses cholera outbreak in Maiduguri

    …says the outbreak was anticipated.

     

    The Country Representative of World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria, Dr. Alemu Wondi has expressed satisfaction with the rate of coverage and the intervention going on against the outbreak of cholera in Borno State.

    Dr. Wondi who is in Maiduguri to access the level of intervention from his organization and the coordinated activities against the outbreak from other parts and way forward to curtain the outbreak visited Muna Garage Camp, one the IDPs camp hit by the outbreak.

    Dr. Wondi at the Muna Garage visited patients at the treatment centre at the camp as well as vaccinate some IDPs.

    While fielding questions from journalists, the Country Representative also informed that the outbreak was anticipated and adequate preparations were made to tackle it.

    He noted that WHO together with the state government and other partners are working hand in hand to stop the spread of the disease, adding that he is satisfied with the level of coverage so far.

    His words: “WHO is closely working with the state ministry of Health and other partners. We have supported the initial confirmation as well as in the process of the control particularly in the coordinator aspect and supporting the partners and state ministry of health in building of these treatment centers, provision of medicament, other supply and Human Resources. Particularly in the surveillance. Technical support. House to house finding of cases and directing them to the treatment centre. We also make sure that the water supply intervention groups is forcing the the information

    “There was a discussion that took place two weeks ago to employ another intervention, that is vaccination. This vaccination has been undertaken now and so far this is the fifth day and the coverage is encouraging. There is another day of mopping up to make sure that those who are missed in the process are also covered.

    “The protection rate is 65 to 70% but what is critical is that this is not the only intervention that protects people.. It is just one of the additional program. It’s important that the water is boiled before use, it’s important that they are not defecating anywhere but in designated places and health education and communication are the things we are supporting,” Dr. Wondi explained.

    Speaking on whether the outbreak took them unawares, Dr. Wondi said, “We were prepared  right from maybe by May or June that before the rainy season that  the outbreak  was going to come.  The preparation was done in leadership with the  State Government and other partners had made adequate arrangement. Some of the medicine and kits were preposition”.

    The WHO country rep was brief at the camp the doctor on duty, Dr. Hanatu Ngamjiwa told Dr. Wondi that there were a number of 26 patients at the facility with four new case of admission as at the time the country rep visited.

    Dr. Ngamjiwa informed that the numbers of new cases at the facility has drastically dropped, just as an improvement of hygiene and sanitation at camp.

  • Borno records cholera deaths, 530 suspected cases

    Borno records cholera deaths, 530 suspected cases

    Cholera has claimed no fewer than 23 deaths and 530 suspected cases in Borno, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday.

    The UN agency added in a statement that a cholera outbreak was first reported by the state’s Ministry of Health, adding that the first case was recorded on Aug. 16, 2017.

    “Over 530 suspected cases had been registered in Borno state as of Sept. 5, 2017, including 23 deaths (4.3 per cent fatality rate).

    “The outbreak is mainly in Muna Garage, a camp hosting at least 20,000 internally displaced persons on the outskirts of the state capital, Maiduguri.

    “Although most cases have been identified in Muna Garage camp, others have been identified in Custom House, Ruwan Zafi and Bolori II, all camps located near Muna Garage.

    “There have also been reports of a suspected cholera outbreak in Monguno and Dikwa Local Government Areas, northeast and east of Maiduguri, respectively,” OCHA said.

    The latest figures suggested a 4.3 per cent fatality rate – well above the one per cent rate that the World Health Organization rates as an emergency.

    The short incubation period of two hours to five days means the disease could spread with explosive speed.

    However, the State Ministry of Health, the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency and humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies, are responding to the outbreak, OCHA said.

    The UN agency added that an Emergency Operational Centre had been set up to manage the response.

    The state’s Ministry of Health has established one 30-bed Cholera Treatment Centre with the support of humanitarian partners in Muna Garage camp.

    OCHA said two Oral Rehydration Points had been set up in Muna Garage while health organisations were also carrying out risk communications, including making regular and frequent visits to households to encourage individuals with cholera-like symptoms to be screened.

    “By communicating at household level in this way, health partners have visited more than 1,300 households which resulted in the identification of 53 suspected cases of cholera.

    “Hygiene promoters have carried out door to door hygiene sensitization and have distributed chlorination tablets.

    “In addition, special interventions are being undertaken to prevent spread of cholera in the markets where people buy food.

    “Humanitarian organisations have also repaired water points, distributed hygiene kits, carried out the water chlorination of water points and pumping units, and completed disinfection spraying of shelters and latrines,” the office said.

    OCHA stated that additional activities included soap distribution, and testing for Free Residual Chlorine at household level, while humanitarian organisations are working to dislodge latrines and repair damaged toilets as part of sanitation efforts.

    OCHA said in Dikwa, about 80 kilometres from Maiduguri, there were also suspicions of a cholera outbreak.

    “A total of 103 suspected cholera cases (including 17 confirmed through the rapid cholera screening test) had been reported in Dikwa’s General Hospital, Borno State as of Sept. 5, 2017.

    “Although an outbreak has not yet been declared officially, humanitarian partners have started taking the appropriate actions.

    The UN agency said a Cholera Treatment Centre had been set up in the hospital while an Oral Rehydration Point would be set up in coming days.

    OCHA said humanitarian partners were working to dislodge latrines, drain flooded locations in the area, distribute aqua tabs and chlorinate water sources, latrines and other infection-prone sites in the area.

  • Cholera kills seven, 200 admitted in Borno

    Cholera kills seven, 200 admitted in Borno

    Medicine San Frontières (MSF) has recorded seven deaths since the outbreak of Cholera in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
    MSF Medical Coordinator Anna Cillers while giving the update of the situation to joirnalissts in Maiduguri informed that over 50 patients were received  at MSF’s Cholera Treatment Unit at Dala.
    Dr. Cillers added that “the  total number of patients admitted from the start of the outbreak till now is over 200 with 100 discharges and7 deaths”.
    MSF on Wednesday reported many scale up measures  as part of efforts to prevent further deaths and the spread of cholera in Maiduguri.
    It  said that it was  working in coordination with the Borno State Ministry of Health (MoH) and other organisations that are responding to the outbreak in the city.
    The statemental disclosed that MSF has established a 40 bed Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU) in Dala, which as at then admitted 70 patients.
     The organisation had also set up an Oral Rehydration Point (ORP) in Muna camp and has a team of 14 Community Health Workers (CHW) who are helping to find new cases and trace community members who may have come into contact with affected patients.

    The statement said  majority of cholera patients come from Muna Garage IDP  camp.

    “MSF has rapidly been responding to the cholera outbreak in Maiduguri. We set up a Cholera Treatment Unit in Dala earlier this year in anticipation of a potential outbreak. Since last weekend, we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of patients at our treatment centre and at the rehydration point in Muna camp,” said Anne-Cecile Niard, MSF Project Coordinator.
     She added, “We are in the process of expanding the capacity of our treatment centre in Dala to 50 beds and are exploring the possibility of opening another treatment centre close to the most affected areas. We are worried that the number of beds that are currently planned will not be enough to cope at the peak of the outbreak.

    “With early diagnosis and treatment, people have a very good chance of survival; already 37 patients have been discharged from our treatment centre in Dala,” said Anna Cillers, MSF Medical Coordinator.

     “If people are worried that they have cholera, they should drink oral rehydration solution and seek treatment as quickly as possible. However, to contain the spread of cholera in Maiduguri, the need for a coordinated response from state health authorities and the other responders to this outbreak cannot be overstated.”
  • Cholera kills two in Lagos

    Cholera kills two in Lagos

    Lagos State Government confirmed on Tuesday that two people have been killed in a new cholera outbreak in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this during chat with journalists, said the outbreak was caused by contamination of water sources with faecal matter from faulty septic tanks and soak-away following the heavy rainfall experienced recently in several parts of the state.

    Places affected by the outbreak are – Somolu, Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere local government areas of the state.

    Idris said: “Following the heavy rainfall being experienced in the state recently and the aftermath flooding of some areas in the state, the ministry has been receiving notifications on upsurge of acute diarrhoea diseases in some local government areas.

    “At least 27 cases have been line-listed by the Epidemiolgy/Disease Surveillance Officers in the state as at today, regrettably two deaths were recorded from the 27 cases.

    “Six cases were recorded in Somolu LGA, one of which died. Four were managed at Somolu General Hospital, one was managed at a private hospital, another one was managed at Mainland Hospital, while one died at home.

    “Two cases were recorded in Oshodi-Isolo LGA. One was managed at a private hospital and he is alive, while one died at home.

    “14 cases were reported at Surulere LGA and managed at Randle General Hospital. No death was recorded.”

    He said samples of well water were collected and sent to the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory.

    “It has become necessary to remind the general public once again that acute diarrhoea disease with or without vomiting is caused by a bacteria disease transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with infective faeces,” the commissioner added.

    He urged the public to maintain hygienic condition, adding that the government has instituted measures towards quick containment and control of the outbreak.