The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cholera

  • Cholera kills six in Benue

    Cholera kills six in Benue

    Benue State government on Tuesday in Makurdi, said six people have died from cholera and 193 other diagnosed with the disease in the state.

    The Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Jonathan Kwaghtsule, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    “We have so far recorded six deaths from the outbreak, while 36 patients are currently on admission in seven hospitals in Makurdi.

    “A total of 193 persons have been admitted since the outbreak. Some have been treated and discharged, while others are responding to treatment.

    “The Federal Ministry of Health has assisted us with some drugs, just as the state government also provided necessary items for the patients,” he said.

    Kwaghtsule, said the victims might have contracted the disease through infected water.

    “Most of the people living in the affected areas, drink water directly from River Benue or buy same from water vendors,” he said,

    He therefore advised the people, to drink clean or boiled water, to curtail the spread of the disease.

    NAN reports that the problem of water scarcity has been one of the major challenges facing the people of Benue in recent times.

    This occurred despite the construction of three major water works in the state by government.

     

  • Cholera kills seven in Kano

    SEVEN persons have died from cholera at Badawa-Galadima ward in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, an official of the council has said.

    Head of Health Department of the local government Ma’azu Doka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  yesterday in Kano that 68 patients were receiving treatment.

    Doka said 29 were at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Kano, and 39 outpatients.

    ‘’The outbreak, which started five days ago, has claimed seven lives.

    ‘’We have treated more than 71 persons, particularly those with cases that are not severe,’’ he said.

    Doka said the local government had purchased and distributed drugs worth N650,000 for the treatment.

    According to him, the council’s health personnel  visited the affected persons to give them treatment.

    He said the health department cleared the drains in the affected area.

    Doka attributed the new cases to dirty surroundings, stressing the need to adhere to hygienic practice.

    ‘’There is poor sanitary condition; the people have to rise up keep their environment clean,’’ he said

  • Kano set to tackle cholera as five residents die

    Kano set to tackle cholera as five residents die

    Kano State government yesterday confirmed the death of five of the 336 victims of cholera.

    Commissioner for Health Labaran Yusuf said measures were being taken to curb the disease, which has cost over N20 million in the last one week.

    Yusuf urged residents to take measures to avoid its spread.

    He said the ministry had pre-positioned needed drugs in all the affected areas.

    “We have also engaged in mass health education and enlightenment, created cholera treatment centres and begun public awareness and case-supporting initiatives.”

    The commissioner urged residents to report cases of gastroenteritis and vomiting to health care centres.

    He advised residents to wash vegetables and fruits and avoid roadside food and unprotected drinks.

    Yusuf listed other measures as the restriction and confinement of victims, ensuring that water was boiled before drinking and washing hands after using the toilet.

    The commissioner directed health care facilitators to avoid isolated areas.

    In Nasarawa Local Government yesterday, 23 health workers were dismissed for allegedly denying five children immunisation against polio.

    The Head of Department, Primary Health Care, Muazu Muhammed Doka, said the affected workers included five supervisors and 18 vaccinators, who were deployed to Hotoro North.

    Doka said the local government and some other key stakeholders have mapped out strategies to intensify awareness and ensure thorough monitoring of the vaccinators.

    He warned that anyone found guilty of manipulation around would be punished.

  • Cholera kills 10 in Kano

    Ten persons have been reportedly killed, following an outbreak of cholera in two local government areas in Kano State.

    Seventy people, it was gathered, have been hospitalised.

    The outbreak was recorded in Nasarawa and Dala local government areas.

    Sources said the health control unit of the Health Ministry had received about 300 cases of cholera from various locations in the state.

    The state Deputy Director, Public Health and Disease Control, Dr Tijjani Husaini, told reporters yesterday that the 70 persons were being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Kano.

    According to him, most of the victims were found to have been infected after visiting some of their infected relatives.

    He said: “We started receiving reports two days ago and the number of affected persons has increased since the first day.

    “We realised that a number of those hospitalised were affected after they visited their infected relations.”

    He declined to name the number of casualties, adding that the government had adopted measures towards addressing the situation.

    The director added that health personnel have been despatched to houses, where cases were identified to control the spread.

  • Cholera kills 12 in Benue

    Cholera kills 12 in Benue

    A CHOLERA outbreak in Oturkpo, Benue State has claimed 12 lives and left 80 others hospitalised.

    Most of the victims are women and children.

    The infected are receiving treatment at the Oturpko General Hospital and some private hospitals in the town, according to an investigation by The Nation.

    The cholera outbreak was first reported in wards 1 and 2 of Oturkpo and later spread to Allan Akpa, Otobi Akpa and Ewulo.

    A source at the Otukpo General Hospital, who preferred anonymity, said the outbreak “is becoming excessively prevalent.”

    He added: “There is hardly a day that we do not record new cases of the disease in the hospital and most of the patients who include women and children are usually from the main town.

    “The situation in neighbouring villages is even worse because we hear daily of new cases and deaths in these communities. And the figure keeps rising due mainly to lack of proper Medicare for victims.

    “In the last few days we have recorded about 12 deaths while over 80 persons are receiving treatment in the hospital and if the government does not act fast, we might be faced with a pandemic with its attendant consequences on the health of the people of the town.”

    When contacted, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Dr. Innocent Onuh, who is also a medical doctor, said the council had commenced free distribution of necessary drugs to hospitals and patients.

    “Apart from that, we have also intensified publicity around the town, informing the people of the need for them to boil their water before drinking.

    “As for the number of deaths, I cannot specifically tell you now because most of the cases are being recorded in the hinterlands but we are also collaborating with the state government and the state ministry of health to stem the disease. I can assure you that we are on top of the situation right now.”

    A few months ago, Otukpo town was hit by water scarcity after the firm contracted by the Benue state government to rehabilitate the Otobi water works and supply water to Otukpo and its environs at the cost of over N2billion shut down the water plant following the failure of the Federal Government to redeem its financial commitment

  • That outbreak of cholera

    SIR: Apart from the recent outbreak of cholera in Nigeria that killed three in Lagos and some others in Zamfara, at least 352 people have been killed by this infection in a space of three months. More than 6,400 cases have also been reported, mostly in the North. Doctors are currently monitoring outbreaks in 12 of the 36 states.

    Nigeria had the first series of cholera outbreak between 1970- 1990. Despite this long experience with cholera, an understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and the reason for its persistence is still lacking.

    Developed countries have almost zero incidence of cholera because they have widespread water treatment plants, food-preparation facilities and they observe strict sanitation protocols. Most people have access to toilets and hand-washing facilities. A lot of responsibilities in curbing this epidemic lie with the government although the citizens have a great role to play in battling and subduing cholera.

    Individuals can prevent or reduce their chances of contacting cholera by thorough hand-washing, drinking treated water and eating clean and well prepared food.

    Cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium, Vibrio cholerae which results in painless diarrhea (the main symptoms are watery stool and vomiting). Most people who contact this disease get it primarily from drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the faeces (waste product) of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms.

    To prevent cholera requires washing the hands frequently with soap and water especially before handling food and after using the toilet. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when soap and water are not readily available.

    Intervention measures that address the root problems of poor sanitation and unsafe water supplies are required to fully solve the problem of cholera. U.N. figures indicate that half of Nigeria’s population of 160 million do not have access to safe water and a third, to proper sanitation.

    • Tolulope Ojo,

    Lagos

  • Fear of cholera epidemic grips community

    Residents of Garki village are afraid they might soon have a cholera epidemic on their hands because sewage is spilling into the streets from broken channels.

    Investigation revealed that officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) in charge of monitoring hardly visit the community, leaving most residents to rely on local plumbers to repair broken sewage.

    A resident of Garki village, Mr. Laid Olamipo who spoke with Abuja Review said that the area may experience outbreak of cholera in matter of days following the negligence by AEPB.

    His words: “We have been experiencing acute littering of rubbish water coming from most broken sewages and environmental officials who are supposed to carry out their duty by evacuating the filled sewage are nowhere to be found and entrance of the Enugu Street has been polluted.

    “We have been abandoned to face the consequences which may be disastrous if no urgent action is taken. How can we have people in charge and things are going bad this way. We are not safe with the situation.”

    A visit to the area shows that both defecation and toilet water flow freely around the streets as some roadside traders still ply their trade even as a roadside local restaurant boom in the area.

    Another resident, who pleaded anonymity because of security reasons expressed fear of possible outbreak of water-borne disease in the community, even as he lamented that most residents in such area may be infected by diseases.

    A source said: “The concern of women in this community is to prevent imminent outbreak of water-borne disease. I call on the FCT Minister to set up a committee to checkmate the activities of the AEPB contractors.”

    In his reaction, Head Information and Outreach Programme of the AEPB, Mr. Joe Ukairo who described Garki Village as an unplanned settlement in the midst of city centre, added that “it is against best practices the world over. They must be relocated for sanity to be sustained.

    “The existence of a village which is an unplanned settlement in the midst of city centre is against best practices world over. They must be relocated for sanity to be sustained.

    “Garki Village is an aberration! It ought not to be there still. We are trying our best to help in any way possible. No access road, no infrastructure for the high-tech equipment and services AEPB renders,” he said.

  • Cholera epidemic

    Cholera epidemic

    • It is shameful that this is happening now

    THE report of outbreak of cholera pandemic in some states is startling. Despite futile efforts by some governments to downplay the enormity of the affliction in their territories, the details of a release made by Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, shows the seriousness and spread of the disease across the country.  At the last count, the centre government reportedly put the casualty rate of cholera victims in some parts of the country at 86 out of 1,623 reported cases. No state has challenged this assertion.

    The breakdown of the plague that is blighting Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Zamfara, Nasarawa and Lagos states is: Zamfara State-1,110 cases with recorded 51 deaths; Nasarawa State – 105 cases with 9 deaths; Lagos State – 134 cases with 4 deaths; Plateau State- 130 cases with 11 deaths; Oyo State – 29 cases with six deaths and Ogun State – 115 cases with five deaths. We take cognisance of the fact that the details could still be higher since there is possibility of new cases and mortalities, especially among those currently bedridden by the ailment in hospitals across the country. Only reported and certified cases that are proven in laboratories to have been caused by vibiro cholerae serotypes 10 and 0139 are purportedly included in the ministry’s released statistics.

    The intra-state nature of cholera outbreaks shows that the disease should not be handled with levity. It is good that the Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to forthwith swing into action and come up with daily reports to be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Health, showing the degree of progress so far recorded across board. Such reports should be made public. It is equally cheering that all federal health facilities in the country have been directed to provide free services to cholera patients. We recognise that this is of course without prejudice to the concerted efforts that have been made by governments of the affected states to put a halt to the spread of the deadly disease.

    The minister made a valid point by stating that “Each Nigerian must commit to certain things; can we stop going into the bush to defecate…every Nigerian must know that it is unhealthy…” He further stated that “… every Nigerian should have access to clean and potable water.’’ But he should have told the world how many affordable decent houses with decent toilets have been built by the Federal Government for Nigerians in the last five years or thereabout, or what the government has done to make this within the reach of Nigerians. He also could not say what the contribution of the centre government has been in transforming the rural areas and the ghettos in towns and cities across the nation so as to forestall the outbreak of cholera.

    We demand to know from the minister how much was spent on potable water provision by this administration and what percentage of the 160 million Nigerians have access to potable water. As the directing mind of the nation’s health policy, he should have drummed it into the ears of government that it is perilous for Nigerians not to have access to potable water. That is why he should have been more cautious in putting all the blame at the door steps of poverty- beaten Nigerians. It is frightening and a shame to this administration that such basic hygiene problems still happen in the country in this age.

    Despite government’s failure to provide these amenities, the people should also not take this as an excuse to engage in unhygienic practices. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by waste product of an infected person. Infected persons suffer from serious vomiting and watery diarrhoea which can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and death in some cases when not promptly attended to medically. We expect the people to weigh the serious consequences of cholera so that they can do everything possible to avoid it.

     

  • Cholera: Lagos Assembly calls for sensitisation to avoid spread

    Cholera: Lagos Assembly calls for sensitisation to avoid spread

    THE Lagos State House of Assembly has urged the Federal Government to direct the relevant agencies to sensitise the public on how to prevent the spread of cholera which has claimed some lives in the state in the last few weeks. The House also called on the state ministries of Health and Information & Strategy to put measures in place at ensuring that residents observe proper hygiene to put an end to the spread of the disease. The issue came up for discussion at a plenary under matter of urgent public importance which was raised by the Chairman House committee on Health, Suru Avoseh (Badagry II). According to him, “The outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country including Lagos has been reported. It needs to be properly handled to prevent it spread. “It is a contagious disease, we have to guide against its spread because already, 13 cases have been reported while three deaths have occurred. So prevention should be emphasised,” the lawmaker advised. The lawmaker advised the public to be wary of water they consume including the so called pure water sachet and the bottled ones.

  • Cholera: Experts seek return of sanitary inspectors

    Some medical experts have urged governments at all levels to reintroduce sanitary inspection to control further outbreak of cholera and other communicable diseases.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in interviews in Lagos that the fight against cholera required concerted efforts by all tiers of government and Nigerians in general.

    Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki, a general physician at Isolo General Hospital, Lagos, emphasised the need to strengthen the sanitary inspectors for proper monitoring of the environment, to prevent cholera.

    “We know there are people saddled with the responsibility of sanitary inspection, not only in the north, but also in other parts of the country.

    “This has to be revived. There is the need for border surveillance, monitoring and inspection of our environments for early detection of diseases’ outbreak, “ he said.

    Also, Dr.Femi Afolabi, a dietician at the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, said that more efforts should be made to educate food vendors on appropriate and hygienic ways of food preparation.

    Afolabi advised the public to boil their drinking water and also wash their vegetables before consumption, to avoid contacting the disease.

    The dietician also urged people to maintain clean and healthy environment to prevent cholera epidemic and outbreak of other communicable diseases.

    In his comment, Dr. Femi Balogun, the Medical Director, Sheffi Private Hospital, Egbeda, Lagos, urged Lagos residents to provide standard toilet facilities in their respective homes for healthy living.

    He said that regular sensitisation and awareness campaigns to educate residents on good hygienic practices were being carried out by health personnel.