The dilapidated medical infrastructure in the country has been stretched thin with the recent outbreak of Monkeypox, now another outbreak of another disease has killed over 60 in Borneo State.
Cholera is now ravaging the Borno State. According to the state ministry of health, 5,281 suspected cases of cholera has been recorded in the state as at October 31. And the death toll as at October ending stood at 61, a sharp rise from 44 in September.
“Total number of suspected cases of cholera reported stands at 5281, with 61 deaths (CFR = 1.2%).
“2651 cases in the Muna corridor (Jere LGA), 736 cases in Dikwa, 1753 cases in Monguno, cases in MMC and Mafa stands at 58 and 20 respectively. No case recorded from Guzamala (Gworam) today, and the cumulative still stand at 69 cases.”
According to the report, the affected local governments are Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Monguno, Guzamala and Maiduguri local governments although Dikwa local government has not reported any new case in the past two weeks.
“Active case search continues in hot spots and high-risk areas. Three new cases found during community case search in Jere LGA.
“Gwaram, Guzamala LGA: Active case search and health promotion by the LGA RRT and WHO Hard-To-Reach team still ongoing.”
“Priority locations identified and communicated to WASH and risk communication teams for priority intervention in Jere LGA: Dusunma (two cases), Munguno (three cases).”
“Two rounds of OCV campaign in identified five priority hard to reach LGAs (Bama, Kala-Balge, Gwoza, Mobbar and Ngala) which are areas at-risk of cholera outbreak are planned. MOH to conduct OCV in Bama and MSF to support OCV in the other four LGAs
“Second round of oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaign also being finalized for the 6 LGAs where the last OCV campaign was previously conducted.
“Preparation for all planned OCV campaigns is in the final stages: Microplanning has been finalized, tentative date for the OCV campaigns is November 11-15, 2017.”
Cholera, is an infectious bacterial disease of the small intestine, caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, which can lead to dehydration, severe vomiting and diarrhoea and result in death if left untreated.
Borno and neighbouring states have had their medical and other social infrastructure destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency thereby worsening the situation.
