Photo: cholera patients in hospital
The Jigawa State government says an outbreak of cholera in the state has culminated in the death of 30 people while over 2,000 are currently receiving medical attention in hospitals.
The cases were reported in nine local government areas of the state, Dr Salisu Mu’azu, the permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Health, said at a media briefing in the state capital, Dutse.
The affected local government areas, according to him, are: Ringim, Dutse, Hadejia, Kirikasamma, Birnin Kud, Gwaram, Jahun and Miga.
“The outbreak was worse in Dutse and Hadejia local government areas which may not be unconnected to the suspected flow of water from open spaces into wells and other sources of water used for domestic purposes.
“The state government has directed for the release of drugs at three centres of Hadejia, Dutse and Ringim local government areas to enable the victims have an immediate medical attention free of charge.
“Some partner agencies such as UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders have joined hands with the state government in mitigating the scourge from further spreading,” he said.
Dr Mu’azu who could not explain say what specifically was the cause of the outbreak, insisted that the Hadejia case could be linked to water pollution.
He said that there was possibility of water contamination from an area where people practice open defecation near the water vendors who collect and sell the water to residents of Hadejia town.
The permanent secretary further explained that the cases started in the last days of the month of June and became worst as rainfall caused flooding in the areas.
He said that the situation was however under control as a result of measures taken by the state government in collaboration with other partners.
