Kogi State has recorded two confirmed cases of cholera, making it one of the six Nigerian states with mild cases of the disease. The State Commissioner for Health, Mr. Abdullazeez Adam, confirmed the cases to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, noting that one victim has been treated and discharged, while the other is responding well to treatment.
“As far as Kogi is concerned, we had only two cases of cholera. Until people report it, samples taken for test and confirmation obtained by undergoing culture in the laboratory. We may not know the other cases,” Adam said. He highlighted the importance of reporting and confirming cases through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Abuja.
Adam also emphasised the role of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in all wards across Kogi’s 21 local government areas, who are on alert to report any outbreak. He mentioned ongoing public health campaigns, including jingles on radio and television, and distribution of informational handbills in local languages to educate the public on maintaining good hygiene.
He urged the public to report any suspected cases of cholera and maintain cleanliness to prevent the disease. “Before now, we had trained people on how to identify cases that can be termed epidemic because Lassa Fever dealt with us recently,” Adam added.
He said that the state government has taken measures to ensure a swift response to any outbreak, including maintaining a reserve of medical supplies at the Drug Central Medical Store. Recently, the Federal Government, through the NCDC, provided additional drugs to help manage cholera cases in the state.
In a related development, the Niger State government has reported no confirmed cases of cholera, although precautionary measures are in place. Dr. Idris Ibrahim, Director of Public Health, stated that surveillance officers and community informants are actively monitoring potential cases and ensuring timely response.
In Nasarawa State, Health Commissioner Dr. Gaza Gwamna reported 29 suspected cases of cholera, with one suspected death, though none are confirmed. The state has ramped up public health education and deployed Disease Surveillance Officers to monitor and report any outbreaks promptly.
The concerted efforts of these state governments reflect a broader commitment to public health and the prevention of cholera outbreaks across Nigeria.
