October 06, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Borno State chapter, has called for proactive measures to curb the spread of cholera, following the declaration of the disease outbreak by the state government.
In a statement issued by the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Borno State Branch, Dr Elyakub Yakubu Mohammed, to journalists in Maiduguri, he expressed deep concern following the confirmation of seventeen cases of Cholera outbreak in the state.
According to him, he noted synergy with relevant authorities to restore and improve clean water access in affected areas, particularly in IDP camps and communities at risk.
He wanted support for continued vaccination efforts and to ensure that all at-risk populations, especially in hard-to-reach local government areas, are covered.
“The government should mobilise and deploy rapid response teams to the affected LGAs to conduct active case findings, test suspected cases, and ensure prompt treatment. The government should set up dedicated cholera treatment centres in the affected LGAs to handle cases quickly and prevent the spread of infection.
“There is a need to encourage the public to consume properly cooked food and avoid raw or undercooked seafood. Also, vendors and food handlers should be educated on the dangers of cholera and adhere to strict hygiene measures”, he urged.
He noted that the NMA Borno State Branch remains committed to working alongside the government, health authorities, and the public to prevent the further spread of this outbreak.
“We commend the Federal Government and the Borno State Government for their proactive response in securing cholera vaccines and implementing public health measures.
“We urge the community to cooperate fully with health officials and adhere to preventive measures to protect themselves and their families. Together, we can mitigate the impact of this outbreak and safeguard the health of our people”, he declared.
It was reported that 451 suspected cholera cases were recorded, 148 samples were tested, 128 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) were positive, 20 tested negative, and 17 samples were confirmed positive for Vibrio cholerae through culture testing.
