Thirteen people have lost their lives following a cholera outbreak across six local government areas in Niger State, with at least 236 others hospitalised in the affected communities.
The outbreak was first reported on Sunday in Shiroro Local Government Area and quickly spread to five other LGAs. As of Wednesday, the waterborne disease had claimed multiple lives in the region.
A healthcare official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, identified the worst-hit areas as Chanchaga, Bosso, Shiroro, Magama, Bida, and Munya Local Government Areas.
The official further disclosed that more than 239 individuals have been infected and are currently receiving treatment at various primary healthcare centres within the affected councils.
The Niger State Government, while expressing concern over the outbreak, disclosed that it has established an isolation centre at the old wing of the late Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta Primary Healthcare Centre along Old Airport Road, Minna, to manage the situation.
Confirming the outbreak, the state Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, stated that the government has swiftly responded by setting up a multi-sectoral approach to contain the spread of the disease and provide necessary medical support to affected communities.
The commissioner stated that treatment and isolation centres had been established in each of the affected local government areas with the aim of containing the spread.
“We have set up treatment and isolation centres to mitigate the epidemic, and are also embarking on aggressive sensitisation exercises.
“The campaign is now targeting religious bodies like CAN and Islamic bodies and the entire eight emirates of the state,” he said.
The commissioner commended Governor Mohammed Bago for his commitment and all the donor agencies for their assistance to the state.
The Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Tertiary Healthcare, Ibrahim Idris, who collaborated with the commissioner, stated that Chanchaga, Bosso, and Shiroro local government areas were the worst-hit councils.
