No fewer than 13 persons have died in Niger state following the outbreak of cholera across 16 local government areas.
The outbreak has left the residents in panic and mourning as no fewer than 130 other persons remain hospitalized in a total of 253 confirmed cases.
According to the officials in confirmation of the incident, the areas where the disease broke out massively include Chanchaga, Bosso, Munya, Shiroro, Magama, and Bida local government areas.
In a worst case, Chanchaga and Bosso area where reported to have recorded the highest numbers of 67 and 68 cases respectively while Shiroro has 58 cases, Bida, Magama, and Munya each registered 20 case.
According to the authorities, the outbreak was triggered by the consumption of contaminated rainwater.
In a statement, the state Commissioner for Primary Health, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Dangana, said the government and all necessary bodies have taken steps to manage the situation.
According to him, “The government has already designated the Idris Kuta Primary Health Care Centre in Minna, the state capital, for the treatment of those affected in Chanchaga local government.”
He further noted that the same facilities in other local governments were being used to attend to those affected there as key partners had also given their support to manage the crisis.
“Similarly, all the donor agencies in the state, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the State Water Board, have been mobilised to assist in combating the spread of the outbreak.
“The state government has also procured huge quantities of drugs among them antibiotics for the treatment of the victims, and we now urge the people to ensure that they consume only hygienic water, fruits, and food,” he added.
In the same vein, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Tertiary Health, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, revealed that surveillance staff were already stationed in the areas affected so as to not allow any further spread.
He stated; “Those admitted in the various hospitals across the state are being treated free of charge, and the graph of the outbreak has been on a downward trend.
Sympathizing with the families of the dead victims and those hospitalized, the government of Niger state and health authorities have urged the residents to only drink clean water.
They advised them to always boil and/or treat their water before drinking so as to kill possible germs and contain the spread of the disease.
