Cholera: Borno records 274 new cases in 24 hours as toll hits 4,204

Borno State in Nigeria is grappling with a significant cholera outbreak, reporting 4,204 cases and 39 deaths across seven affected local government areas. The severity of the situation was highlighted by the addition of 274 new suspected cases in the last 24 hours alone.

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New suspected cases in the last 24 hours are 274, while the total suspected cases line listed are 4,204 recorded from 36 wards in the seven local governments, including Jere, Bama, Kaga, Mafa, Kwaya Kusar, MMC, Konduga, Monguno, Magumeri, and Ngala, which were affected. In total, we now have 39 deaths.

Dr. Jacob Thlizer, the Incident Manager for the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, provided the update during a sensitisation meeting in Maiduguri. He detailed the case breakdown across various local government areas, including Jere, Bama, Kaga, Mafa, Kwaya Kusar, MMC, Konduga, Monguno, Magumeri, and Ngala, which have all reported infections.

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The state government has activated IMS, coordinated meetings with all health actors in the state, awareness creation in hotspot locations, and procurement of commodities.

In response to the spike in cases, the state government has initiated several measures. According to Shetima Muhammad, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Human Services, these include activating an Integrated Management System (IMS), coordinating with health actors, raising awareness in hotspot locations, and procuring necessary commodities. Dedicated health facilities, such as the emergency and infectious disease center in Njimtilo and a 1,000-bed infectious disease camp at Ngarannam, have been established to treat patients.

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The Ministry of Health has established dedicated health centres, namely the emergency and infectious disease centre in Njimtilo and an infectious disease camp with over 1,000 beds at Ngarannam to treat the affected people.

Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed that drugs and consumables be delivered to these camps. The government urges residents to maintain proper hygiene and promptly report any cholera symptoms to health facilities. Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, assured continued support for health institutions in preventing the virus's spread.

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I want to thank you and commend your efforts. I want to say that if there are any issues anywhere, please let us know so that we can confront this menace.