The Adamawa State government has confirmed the outbreak of cholera in four local government areas (LGAs) of the state, with 15 fatalities reported so far. The state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Felix Tangwami, made the announcement yesterday in Yola, stating that seven of the deaths occurred in a government facility, while the other eight were recorded within affected communities.
Tangwami disclosed that the cholera outbreak has affected Yola South, Yola North, Fufore, and Girei local government areas. The state government, in collaboration with development partners, has taken swift measures to contain the spread of the disease.
He revealed that as part of the containment efforts, the state has received 200,000 cholera vaccines from UNICEF. In addition to administering these vaccines, the state has also isolated affected patients, provided treatment, and carried out the necessary laboratory tests to identify the organism responsible for the acute watery diarrhea cases.
Tangwami reassured the public that the government is “on top of the situation” and working closely with health officials to prevent further casualties. He emphasized the importance of hygiene and urged residents to take precautions, such as drinking clean water and practicing proper sanitation, to reduce the spread of the disease.
The government’s swift action in securing vaccines and providing medical care is expected to mitigate the spread of cholera, which remains a serious public health concern in the region. The Commissioner also noted that surveillance teams have been deployed to the affected LGAs to monitor the situation and ensure timely intervention.
With health authorities working to contain the outbreak, the focus remains on preventing further deaths and minimizing the impact of cholera on the affected communities. The partnership between the state and international health organizations is crucial in addressing the current health crisis and safeguarding public health.
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