NCDC activates “level-2” response as cholera deaths rise

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has activated a “Level 2” response at its emergency operations centre for cholera, as the number of infections reported in the outbreak continues to rise.

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Since the start of the outbreak, 6,571 cases suspected to be cholera have been reported: 174 have tested positive and 90 people have been killed.

A total 68 council areas in 19 states have been affected, according to the NCDC.

For the same period in 2017, only 162 suspected cases were reported and five people had died in 18 council areas across 13 states.

At least 910 cases suspected to be cholera were reported last week alone; laboratory tests confirmed 12 positive, and six patients died. Another 15 patient deaths died in Bida, after the NCDC weekly report was issued. The latest reports come from 16 local government areas in six states.

By comparison, within the same period last year, 77 suspected cholera cases were recorded from four council areas in two states, and one patient died.

The spread of the outbreak this year continues to widen, and the World Health Organisation has warned it could get worse with more rains if not quickly stopped.

Level-2 activation of the emergency operations centre for cholera will entail more meetings and tighter coordination of all agencies involved in the response—to treat patients, trace individuals who could have been exposed and chlorinate water sources and other possible sites of contamination.

Rapid response teams have been deployed to handle recent clusters of outbreaks in Kano, Bauchi, Plateau, Zamfara and Adamawa.

NCDC has issued advisories urging use of safe water, hand washing, good sanitation and cooking practice and personal hygiene as means of preventing an infection.

This week, it expanded the advisory to detail use of latrines or toilets to avoid open defecation, washing hands with soap after defecating, cleaning latrines and faeces-stained surfaces with water and bleach.

Where a latrine is unavailable, “defecate at least 30 meters (98 feet) away from any body of water and then bury the faeces,” it said in the advisory.

“Dispose off plastic bags containing faeces in latrines, at collection points if available, or bury it in the ground. Do not put plastic bags in chemical toilets.

“Dig new latrines or temporary pit toilets at least a half-metre (1.6 feet) deep and at least 30 metres (98 feet) away from any body of water.”

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