Yobe and Borno state governments in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners have officially declared an end of cholera outbreak in the two states.
The declaration was made public in separate press conferences held by the state commissioners of Health, Dr. Muhammad Bello Kawuwa and Dr. Kwaya Bura, on Tuesday in Yobe and Borno.
The commissioners said that both states were declared cholera-free when suspected cases in the epidemic areas significantly declines and all samples from suspected cholera cases were tested negative by the Rapid Diagnostic Test or culture for a minimum period of two weeks.
In Yobe, the health commissioner, who was represented by Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Lawan Gana said, the first cases of cholera were reported in July, 2018 from communities along Borno and Yobe borders.
“The situation is more critical in Gujba, Damaturu and Gulani LGAs where insecurity, massive flood following heavy rainfall, and difficult geographical terrain aided transmission of infections especially during rainy season,” he said.
He said as it stands today, a total of 1,813 cases have been recorded in Yobe state with 61 associated deaths, while giving a case fatality rate of 3.36 percent.
“591 of these cases were reported in Gulani, 458 cases in Gujba, 489 cases in Damaturu, 181 cases in Fune and 67 cases in Potiskum local government areas of Yobe states”, he said.
He said that most of the deaths recorded were in Gulani, Gujba and Fune local government areas due to delays in timely reporting to health facilities for the patients to receive timely quality care.
He said the cholera scourge was curbed by the strong commitment and determination of the state ministry of health and state primary management board in conjunction with other ministries and partners.
In Borno, the commissioner, who was also represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Mustapha, noted that a total number of 73 persons died and suspected cases reported stood at 6,367 in the between February 2018 and 14th of December 2018.
He said the first suspected cases of cholera were reported in Kukawa LGA in February 2018.
“As of today, 15 January 2019, the total number of suspected cholera cases reported stand at 6,367 with 73 associated death indicating a case fatality ratio of 1.15% from 15 LGA of Borno state.
“Jere LGA with 2482 cases, MMC with 1,556 and Ngala with 1,052 contributed 80% of all reported cases.
“Other LGAs that reported various cases include Magumeri, Konduga, Kwaya Kusar, Chibok, Shank,Damboa, Kaga,Askira-Uba, Bama, Dikwa, Guzamala and Kala-Balge.
“With the strong of the government of Borno, technical and financial of health partners under the coordination and leadership of WHO, human and material resources were mobilized with all hands on deck including WASH and risk communication actors. It is now almost 4 week since the last case was reported in Borno state. The last case of suspected cholera was reported on 14 December 2018.
Also, the Borno state commissioner of health, inaugurated rebuilding and resilience committee which include: Humanitarian Development Nexus (HDN), Health Data Consultative Committee (HDCC), Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPC) and Health Work Force Registry Technical Working Group(HWFR(TWG).
He charged the all committee member to work hard to justify the trust reposed on them especially for the benefit of people and health sector of Borno state.
