Published Date: 2011-04-08 15:03:40
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Cholera - Nigeria (05): (Taraba) susp.
Archive Number: 20110408.220718
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Date: Fri 8 Apr 2011
Source: The Nigeria Guardian [edited]
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44097
Cholera kills 24 in Taraba State
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No fewer than 24 persons have died in Donga Local Council Area of Taraba State following an outbreak of a disease suspected to be cholera. Apart from the death toll, over 60 persons are reportedly
lying critically ill in various hospitals in the council as a result of the epidemic. The development has forced residents of the council to take refuge in other areas of the state.
Confirming the report to The Guardian, the Commissioner for Health, Mohammed Bose, however, said preventive measures have been put in place by the state government to halt the spread of the disease.
Though he could not authenticate the type of disease ravaging the council, the commissioner, however, said its symptoms were close to those of cholera, which recently struck in nearby Bantaji village of
Wukari Local Council.
His words: "There was an outbreak of cholera in Bantaji village of Wukari. It was the spillover that got to Donga Local Council." The ministry, according to Bose, "has made provisions, which include
adequate drugs, to arrest the situation. We have also engaged volunteer personnel to help in attending to those lying ill in the various hospitals as a result of the disease."
Doctors Across Boarder [Medecins sans Frontieres?], according to the
commissioner, were currently on ground in the council attending to
persons suffering from the ailment. "Though it is not yet confirmed
that the disease is cholera, with the symptoms on ground, one would
believe that it is cholera," Bose added.
Meanwhile, a Bauchi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Network of Civil Society Organisation on Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), yesterday [7 Apr 2011] began its campaign on preventive awareness
against cholera in some high-risk communities of the state.
Leader of the delegation, Mrs Deborah Kogi, stated: "There is need for early campaign against the killer-disease because we normally experience it during rainy season. But now, we have the outbreak in some parts of the state and people are affected by the bacteria. So we can no longer wait but campaign in all high-risk communities to create awareness on how to curtail the spread of the bacteria."
[Byline: Charles Akpeji, Ali Garba]
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Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
<promed-eafr@promedmail.org>
[A suspected cholera outbreak has been reported in Taraba state in Nigeria. Laboratory confirmation is yet to come through, but being a diarrheal disease outbreak, the authorities have initiated a response to ensure appropriate treatment of the sick as well as curtail the spread of the disease in the communities through activation of water and sanitation interventions. Additional information on the exact of the outbreak will be appreciated - Mod.JFW]
A map showing the states in Nigeria can be seen at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_Nigeria and the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the country can be seen athttp://healthmap.org/r/0FxR. - Mod.JFW]
See Also
Cholera - Nigeria (04): spread 20110224.218793Cholera - Nigeria (03): (Kogi) 20110211.218069
Cholera - Nigeria (02): (Kano) 20110207.217844
Cholera - Nigeria: (Niger state) 20110116.217207
2010
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Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (53): Africa 0101115.215181
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (52): Africa 0101107.214912
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (51): Africa 0101028.214604
Cholera, diarrhea and dysentery update 2010 (50): Africa 0101023.214414
[Additional background information on cholera is available from the general ProMED-mail list. The postings below can be found athttp://www.promedmail.org. - Mod.JFW
[Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (06): Americas, Asia 20110404.1040
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (05): Africa 20110403.1033
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (04) 20110222.0582
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (03) 20110128.0333
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 (02) 20110118.0215
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2011 20110109.0101
2010
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Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (30) 20101231.4608
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (27) 20101109.4060
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (13): Africa 20100807.2695
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (05): Asia, Africa 20100219.0573
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (04): Africa 20100216.0550
Cholera, diarrhea& dysentery update 2010 (02): Africa 20100208.0428
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