Borno state government has confirmed the death of forty three people due to suspected cholera outbreak in the state.
Confirming the outbreak at a media briefing in Maiduguri, commissioner for Health Mrs Juliana Bitrus said 559 suspected cases have been recorded as at 30th August with fifty seven admissions in seven local government areas.
The affected local government areas according to the Commissioner are Gwoza, Kaga, Hawul, Magumeri, Damboa, Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere.
She explained that Gwoza local government has the highest figure with 354 suspected cases and 18 deaths while Maiduguri metropolis has the least with four cases and no death recorded.
“On behalf of the good people of Borno state, the Honourable Commissioner wishes to declare outbreak of cholera and with this all stakeholders are to play appropriate roles to ensure the situation is put under control, the Commissioner stressed “.
Mrs Juliana Bitrus observed that the state has not recorded any cholera case in the last two years, attributing the recent outbreak to open defecation, poor sanitation and hygiene as well as high population density in IDP camps.
The Commissioner said the state government has activated primary healthcare emergency operation centres, established disease rapid response teams at local government level and strengthen the surveillance system from community to local government to detect suspected cases.
She advised members of the public to practice regular hand washing before eating and after visiting the toilet, cover food and water properly and stop open defecation.
Mrs Bitrus called on all stakeholders in the health sector to play appropriate roles to contain the situation and minimise loss of lives in the state.
Dauda Iliya
