The Commissioner for Health in Kogi State, Mr Abdullazeez Adam, has reported that two cases of cholera have been confirmed, with one patient already discharged and the other responding well to treatment.
Speaking in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Adam highlighted that Kogi appears to be among the six states in Nigeria experiencing mild cases of cholera, having recorded only two confirmed cases.
“The other victim is doing well on treatment,” Adam assured, emphasizing the state’s management of the situation amidst broader concerns across 31 states and the FCT, Abuja, where cholera has reached epidemic levels.
Adam underscored the public health significance of cholera, noting that while Kogi and the remaining five states may have cases, they have not yet reached epidemic proportions.
“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.
“If we want to know the type, samples must be taken and sent to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Abuja.
“As earlier mentioned, as for the recent Cholera outbreak in the country, up until Wednesday, June 26, we had just one recorded case, which is counted.
“If it’s not reported, one can’t say there’s any. Unreported case, means, when someone is sick and is stooling, yet have not gone to hospital or any health facility but resolved to taking ORS or drugs while at home, it can’t be counted.
“If it’s suspected, reported and confirmed, then it can be counted as a case, else it won’t.
“Those cases they have in Lagos and FCT, Abuja, were reported and confirmed cases in health facilities and hospitals, ” he said.
Regarding measures taken by the state government to address the situation, he stated that significant steps have been implemented to effectively control the spread of the disease.
“Thank God here in Kogi, we have Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in all our wards in the 21 local government areas.
”They are always on alert to report any case of disease outbreak to the appropriate quarters.
“We also have jingles that are ongoing on Radio and Television (TV) stations, Handbills with messages in the three dominant tribes in the state including Hausa and English languages,” he said.
Adam emphasized the importance of the public reporting any suspected cases of cholera and maintaining good hygiene practices. He highlighted that cholera prevention primarily revolves around practicing good hygiene.
“Before now, we had trained people on how to identify cases that can be termed epidemic, because Lassa Fever dealt with us recently.
”Kogi was among states with Lassa Fever cases, so we trained people on how to identify such diseases or any outbreak at any time to the appropriate quarters.
“We have medical consumables on reserve in our Drug Central Medical Store ready for deployment to places in need in time of outbreaks.
”Just recently, the Federal Government, through the NCDC, sent some drugs to us to help address any such cases of Cholera outbreak in the state. They are well kept in our Drug Central Medical Store for distribution when necessary.”.
He mentioned that they have been actively sensitizing and educating the public about the importance of maintaining good hygiene through initiatives such as living in clean environments, consuming safe drinking water, and avoiding open defecation.
The commissioner emphasized that the government has identified open defecation, unsafe drinking water, and unclean environments as primary causes of cholera outbreaks.
”And, as such drastic measures have been taken to discourage people from open defecation to health ward ward the outbreak of Cholera and other diseases amongst our populace.
“Our health officers are always out, monitoring people’s houses to ensure that those of them that have no toilets must provide one for the people living there.
“We believe these measures would go a long way at ensuring healthy living amongst our people. Health, they say, is wealth, more so that prevention is better than cure,” he said.
The commissioner added, “I can generally conclude that though Kogi is fully prepared to deal with the Cholera disease, we have but just one case as we speak.
In contrast, the Niger Government has indicated that according to available data, there have been no confirmed cases of cholera in the state.
Director of Public Health at the Niger Ministry for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Idris Ibrahim affirmed that the state remains vigilant, having implemented all necessary precautionary measures to promptly respond to and prevent any potential outbreak.
“Our technical people are alert, coordination at the state and local government levels is ongoing.
“The state epidemiology in the public health department and the state disease surveillance officers are all alert looking at all the data coming from local government areas.
“They are analysing the data to know if anyone has increased on a weekly basis, there is also active surveillance such as being in constant communication with local governments areas,” he said.
Ibrahim highlighted the structured approach in Niger State to combat cholera, with two surveillance officers and their assistants per local government area.
These officers monitor health facilities with high patient volumes, identifying potential cases based on symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. The ministry also trained community informants to trace individuals seeking traditional herbal care for similar symptoms.
Regular meetings involving state health officials, epidemiologists, and partners like WHO and UNICEF occur twice weekly to review data and strategize.
The state has preemptively stocked consumables and medicines across local governments to swiftly respond to emergencies, ensuring continuous data transmission to the national level.
Public sensitization efforts in Niger include media campaigns promoting personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness.
Ibrahim emphasized the importance of seeking timely medical care at nearby health facilities for proper treatment.
In Nasarawa State, Dr. Gaza Gwamna confirmed no cholera outbreaks but reported 29 suspected cases across Kokona and Nasarawa-Eggon LGAs, with one mortality.
“The cases at the moment are still suspected and even the person that died in Nasarawa-Eggon was not confirmed, but a suspected case before his death,” he added.
Gwamna further elaborated that the suspected cholera cases in Nasarawa State are currently undergoing medical evaluation to determine their status.
He emphasized proactive measures undertaken by the ministry to prevent outbreaks, especially during this time of year when heavy rainfall can contaminate water sources.
Sensitization efforts have been intensified in collaboration with traditional leaders and other stakeholders to educate the public on improving hygiene practices and maintaining regular sanitation.
To bolster surveillance, Disease Surveillance Officers have been deployed to every electoral ward across the state’s 13 LGAs.
These officers play a crucial role in promptly reporting suspected cases based on observed symptoms to facilitate swift government intervention and control measures.
“They are expected to give reports of happenings in their areas on a daily basis to enable the government to take action in case of any outbreak,” the commissioner added.
Dr. Gaza Gwamna emphasized that under the leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, enhancing the provision of quality and affordable healthcare services remains a top priority for the administration in Nasarawa State.
He elaborated that as part of these efforts, the governor has sanctioned the upgrading of four Primary Healthcare Centers to General Hospitals.
These facilities include PHC Assakyo in Lafia, Gudi in Akwanga, New Karu in Karu, and Azara in Awe LGA. This upgrade aims to improve healthcare accessibility and service delivery across the state.
