Cholera: Katsina records over 100 cases, two deaths in 10 LGs

No fewer than 118 suspected cases of cholera have been reported in Katsina State in one month.

Two persons have also reportedly died from the outbreak in Katsina and Dutsinma local government areas of the state.

The Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency confirmed the cases through its Incident Manager and Director of Epidemiology, D. Kabir Suleiman, who in turn confirmed the cases during a press conference at the agency’s emergency headquarters in Katsina.

According to him, following the incident, the agency has activated its incident management system to prevent further spread of cholera and other vaccine-preventable outbreaks in the state in 10 local government areas of the state.

He disclosed that the state government had taken measures to manage the outbreak, which includes the building of 102  health facilities across LGAs, improving WASH facilities, and designating 34 comprehensive health centres with cholera treatment units.

Suleiman further told journalists that Katsina State has been identified as a high-risk area for cholera by the Global Taskforce for Cholera Control, with 10 LGAs considered high-risk.

Therefore, the state government has deployed commodities in all 34 LGAs and established Oral Rehydration Points to manage the situation.

Suleiman emphasised that the state is prepared to coordinate any outbreak, with a sensitive surveillance system in place to detect cases of priority diseases like cholera.

He noted that the state has a normal routine surveillance system that works 24/7 to detect cases.

“The agency has trained over 3,000 Volunteer Community Mobilisers (VCMs) to sensitise women on personal hygiene and the importance of using sanitised water and eating well-cooked food. Risk communication jingles are also being aired to educate the public.

“While there is no current outbreak of cholera, the state is on high alert, with a rapid response team and surveillance officers trained to detect cases wherever they occur,” Suleiman added.

Investigations by Arewa PUNCH revealed that the 10 LGAs on red alert and with the recorded cases are: Bakori – 4, Baure – 8, Dutsi – 7, Dutsinma – 17, deaths – 1, Ingawa – 2, Katsina – 5. Others are: deaths – 1, Kurfi – 2, Kusada – 62 Mani -10, Sabuwa – 1.