At least twelve people have died due to a cholera outbreak affecting four local government areas in Adamawa State.
During a media briefing in Yola, Health Commissioner Felix Tangwami confirmed that over 300 individuals have been hospitalized, with 244 already discharged.
Adamawa State has now joined the list of regions experiencing cholera outbreaks in the country, a situation attributed to recent flooding in communities and poor hygiene practices. The affected local government areas include Yola North, Yola South, Girei, and Fufore, which have been classified as experiencing acute watery diarrhea.
Thirty samples have been collected and sent to the national reference laboratory to determine the specific causes of the infections, while patients are being isolated at the Infectious Disease Centre in Yola.
Following a meeting of key healthcare providers, Tangwami shared insights about the outbreak, mentioning that UNICEF’s health officer in the state, Olusheyi Oloshide, confirmed the arrival of cholera vaccines to help control the situation.
The recent confirmation of cholera comes after initial reports suggested the outbreak was simply acute watery diarrhea. The state government has received cholera vaccines from its partners and is urging the public to stay calm and enhance their hygiene practices.
To prevent further spread to other local government areas, Tangwami stated that surveillance officers have been deployed to educate the community.