The Borno State Government has confirmed 17 cases of cholera in the state and vaccinated 287,708 people against the disease.
Declaring the cholera outbreak in Maiduguri on Friday, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Baba Gana, said no has been recorded in the state so far.
“We have 451 suspected cases discovered in Maiduguri, Jere, Konduga, Mafa and Monguno local government areas.
“We took the samples to the National reference laboratory, out of which 17 were positive for cholera,” he said.
He said the state had received 300,000 doses of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) from the Federal Ministry of Health, of which 287,708 were administered to mothers, children and other vulnerable people.
“The immunisation that started on September 25 was 96 percent successful.
We are expecting 600,000 additional doses of the OCV to reach out to areas with suspected cases of cholera,” he added.
Gana noted that the state was prepared measures against cholera due to the devastating flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri.
The commissioner thanked the people for cooperating with the ministry, and the development partners for helping the state in the difficult times.
Experts have warned over serious health outcomes of residents in the post flood disaster, with several calls on the government to take serious measures.