By Segun Adeyemi
At least 44 people are dead, following cholera outbreak in Borno State, the State Commissioner of Health, Haruna Mshelia, has said.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mr Mshelia said vaccination would immediately commence in four local government areas that have been identified as flashpoints, to avoid future outbreaks.
He also said the move is targeted at curbing the infectious disease and ensuring it does not spread to other areas in the state after recording almost 2,000 cases within two weeks
“We are embarking on vaccination as from Monday to ensure we stop the cholera from spreading.
“The vaccination has 80 per cent protection and anybody above one year can take it. A total of 1,926 cholera cases were recorded after the outbreak at Muna Internally Displaced Persons’ camp which later spread to Dikwa and Monguno,” he said.
Maiduguri, Dikwa, Jere and Monguno, recorded more cases of the outbreak and have been enlisted as some of the major areas were the vaccination exercise will commence. He added.
Mr Mshelia cited poor hygiene and sanitation among IDPs to the cause of the outbreak.
He said the state government, with other partner organisations, had established cholera treatment centres as soon as the outbreak was confirmed.
Mr Mshelia said in order to combat the spread of the disease, disinfection of toilets/latrines and sensitizations on personal hygiene were carried out.
He commiserated with the families of those that died in the cholera outbreak.
The commissioner also commended the international partners for their support in tackling the outbreak.
