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Published Date: 2010-08-20 12:09:24
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (36): Africa
Archive Number: 20100820.211414

CHOLERA, DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY UPDATE 2010 (36): AFRICA
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In this update:
[1], [2] Cholera - Nigeria (Borno, Bauchi)
[3], [4] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi)
[5] Cholera - Cameroon

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[1] Cholera - Nigeria (Borno, Bauchi)
Date: Tue 17 Aug 2010
Source: Vanguard (Nigeria) [edited]
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/08/17/227-die-in-borno-bauchi-cholera-attacks/

The death toll in the cholera epidemic, which swept through Maiduguri
and Bauchi like a hurricane, 2 weeks ago, has now risen to more than
147. About 1368 others have been hospitalised.

This came just as 67 lives have been lost in Bauchi, with 1742 also
infected in an outbreak that is ravaging several local government
[LG] areas in Bauchi State.

The epidemic, which started in 6 council areas of Abadam, Dikwa,
Kala-Balge, Guzamala, and Kukawa communities in Borno State claimed
50 lives, before spreading to Maiduguri and Jere, where not less than
100 persons contacted the disease. At press time, the casualty figure
had risen to 80.

Governor Ali Modu Sheriff who visited the affected communities,
Monday [16 Aug 2010] the immediate release of NGN 18 million [approx
USD 120 000] for the repair of boreholes in the area.

The governor said his administration would provide potable water to
all communities of the state, adding that all boreholes within
Maiduguri and Jere council areas would be functional within the
shortest possible time.

He noted that funds had been released for immediate repairs of
boreholes adding that government would commence drilling of boreholes
across the 27 council areas of the state.

Vanguard gathered, yesterday [16 Aug 2010] that another outbreak of
the epidemic has been reported in some local government areas of
Bauchi State.

It was learnt that the epidemic had already claimed 67 lives and
infected about 1742 persons.

Chairman of the state Primary Health Care Developmental Agency, Dr
Musa Dabam, who briefed newsmen on the update of the outbreak in the
state said: "The outbreak has entered its 8th week with a death
percentage of 3.8 per cent.

Bauchi LG has recorded the highest proportion of attacks with 1368
infections, while 31 people lost their lives. In Ganjuwa LG, we
recorded 284 cases where 20 people died, while the other local
governments affected are Shira, Tafawa Balewa, and Toro with 10 to 30
patients infected."

He said: "In this month of Ramadan [11 Aug-9 Sep 2010], we have also
informed our Imams to embark on sensitization campaigns in their
Tafsil to educate the people on the outbreak of the disease and the
way it should be prevented.

We have received a lot of support from the Imams and we have
continued appeal to the general public to ensure they boil their
water before drinking.

[Byline: Ndahi Marama, Suzan Edeh]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR

[The same risk factors highlighted in our previous update (see
ProMED-EAFR archive no. 20100813.211203) have contributed to the
escalation of the cholera outbreaks in Bauchi and Borno States. The
authorities have however moved in to improve access to treatment and
potable water. This will help mitigate the effects of the current
outbreaks and prevent related ones in the near future.

Maps of Nigeria are available at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_Nigeria and the
HealthMap/ProMED interactive map at http://healthmap.org/r/01MI. - Mod.JFW]

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[2] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi, Borno)
Date: Mon 16 Aug 2010
Source: Yahoo News, Agence France-Presse (AFP) report [edited]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100816/wl_africa_afp/nigeriahealthcholera

A cholera outbreak in Nigeria has killed 87 people during the past
month while 1315 others have been infected, official figures showed
Monday [16 Aug 2010].

The outbreak in the northern states of Bauchi and Borno was believed
to be because of poor sanitation and the contamination of wells,
while Nigeria's rainy season often sees a surge in cholera cases.

Bauchi State has recorded 47 deaths and 1200 infections in the past
month, state health commissioner Mohammed Yahaya Jalem told AFP by
telephone from the state capital.

Borno State health commissioner Abdurrahman Terab told AFP on
Thursday [12 Aug 2010] that 40 people had died from cholera in the
state within the previous week while 115 others were infected.

Jalem attributed the outbreak to poor sanitation and the
contamination of open wells on which rural communities largely depend
as major water source.

"We have mobilized health personnel and drugs in the affected areas
and we have stepped up campaigns on how people can guard against
cholera and other water-related infections especially in the rainy
season," he said.

Cholera is a water-borne disease and can also be transmitted by food
that has been in contact with sewage. It causes serious diarrhoea and
vomiting leading to dehydration.

Health experts say a surge in cholera outbreaks is noticeable in
Nigerian villages in the rainy season when rain water washes dirt
into open wells and ponds.

More than 260 people died of cholera in four northern states in the
last quarter of 2009.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR

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[3] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi)
Date: Sun 15 Aug 2010
Source: Sunday Tribune [edited]
http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/news/1882-cholera-kills-31-in-bauchi-777-receiving-treatment

With the outbreak of cholera in Bauchi State, 777 victims are
presently receiving treatment at various health facilities across the
state out which 31 have died just as the government in its efforts to
curtail the outbreak has opened more health centers in the state
stocked with drugs.

This was disclosed by the executive chairman of the Bauchi State
Primary Healthcare Development Agency [BSPHCDA], Dr Musa Dambam
Mohammed at an interactive session with news men shortly after the
commissioning of one of the new health centers in Bauchi.

He explained that the health centers were specifically opened in
order to accommodate all victims of the cholera outbreak so that they
could be given adequate medical while on admission and to avert the
spread of the disease.

Musa Dambam Mohammed further explained that the outbreak was serious
in Bauchi local government area where over 600 people were infected
while Ganjuwa, Ningi, and Shira also make up the remaining figure,
assuring however that his Agency was ready to curtail the outbreak as
it has posted medical personnel and drugs to all the health
Facilities in the state.

He also said that all the victims were being treated free of charge,
adding that as from now on, they would be given 3 square meals free
of charge, as government, he said, has made provision for their
feeding to facilitate their quick recovery pointing out that the ATBU
Teaching Hospital and other health centers have received allocation
for the feeding and free drugs.

The free feeding arrangement according to him became necessary
because, allowing the victims to eat just anything during the period
of medication will not aid their healing process pointing out that it
is good and healthy to monitor what they eat during the period they
will be at the centers for medication.

The BSPHCDA Boss explained that his Agency has sent out staff on
surveillance in order to detect areas that are worst hit by the
outbreak with the aim of mobilizing drugs and other interventions in
order to curtail the disease.

Checks by Sunday Tribune at the ATBUTH, Bauchi revealed that in the
month of March this year [2010] when the outbreak was first reported,
38 children lost their lives. In the month of April, 20 were reported
dead and in the Month of May, 34 died while in June, 47 died
excluding those who were said to have died in other health centers
across the state as well as those who lost their lives at home.

[Byline: Ishola Michael]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR

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[4] Cholera - Nigeria (Bauchi)
Date: Wed 18 Aug 2010
Source: Google News, The Associated Press/Canadian Press (CP) report [edited]
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iIPdQ43mPFq4tydzHOkh50fEzFWA

A health official says at least 67 people have died from an outbreak
of cholera in northeastern Nigeria.

Bauchi state health official Dr Musa Mohammed told reporters Tuesday
[17 Aug 2010] that more than 1700 cases of the waterborne infection
have been reported in recent weeks. Mohammed says that the infections
likely came from the contamination of wells and water sources used in the area.

Cholera is a fast-moving infection that causes diarrhea in victims,
leading to severe dehydration and possible death. The infection is
highly contagious yet easily preventable with clean water and sanitation.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR

******
[5] Cholera - Cameroon
Date: Thu 19 Aug 2010
Source: Pan African News Agency (PANA) [edited]
http://www.panapress.com/freenews.asp?code=eng057303&dte=19/08/2010

An outbreak of cholera has killed 222 people in the Cameroonian
regions of Far North[Extreme-Nord], North [Nord], and Adamaoua, the
country's Health Minister Andre Mama Fouda announced on Wednesday [18
Aug 2010].

He said the epidemic broke out on 6 May [2010] in a village in the
Far North, where it was introduced by a trader back from a border
market.

According to the minister, the disease is mostly affecting the Far
North, where 167 patients are still in hospital.

Fouda recalled that a National Cholera Control Committee was set up
in 1982, and expressed his wish for the Committee to resume its
activities.

The minister and his colleague in charge of Water and Energy, Michael
Nganko Tondjo, have already visited the regions affected by the
epidemic.

To fight against cholera, Tondjo announced the sinking of 250 new
boreholes in the Far North as a matter of urgency.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR

[Cholera outbreaks have been reported in 3 states in Cameroon due to
poor access to safe water in the affected regions. The government is
therefore moving in fast to address these gaps so as to control the
current outbreaks.

A map showing the regions of Cameroon can be accessed at
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/cameroon_pol98.jpg. The
HealthMap/ProMED mail interactive map of Cameroon can be accessed at
http://healthmap.org/r/00Yv. - Mod.JFW]

See Also