The Bauchi State Government has warned against open defecation to avoid the cholera epidemic that has already killed many people in Nigeria.
The state said it is prepared to combat cholera outbreak which 53 suspected cases and 1 suspected death have been reported in 7 local government areas in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, gave the warning in an interview with WikkiTimes in Bauchi.
Dr. Mohammed, who revealed that there were instances of diarrhea caused by excessive protein consumption, particularly during the Sallah festival, said it coincided with the first rainfall in the state but insisted that there is no cholera epidemic.
He said, “Cholera is a bacterial disease that typically causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. It spreads primarily through contaminated water. In Bauchi state, one of the contributing factors to cholera outbreak is open defecation. When people defecate openly, rainwater can wash the feces into our wells and streams. If this water is consumed without proper treatment, it can lead to cholera.”
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued flood warnings for several states, including Bauchi. According to NiMet’s predictions, Toro, Itas Gadau, Bauchi, Jama’are, Shira, Zaki, Ganjuwa, Warji, and Katagum LGAs are at high risk of flooding.
Similarly, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has advised people living along riverbanks and flood prone communities to relocate to highlands due to imminent threat of flood.
The State of Cholera outbreak in Bauchi
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned the public about the increasing trend of cholera cases across the country as the rainy season intensifies.
In a statement signed by the Director-General Dr. Jide Idris earlier in June, NCDC reported that between January 1 and June 11, 2024, there were 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cholera cases, with 30 deaths reported from 96 local government areas in 30 states.
The NCDC Identified Bauchi among other 9 states contributing 90 percent of the cholera burden.
However, Dr. Mohammed told WikkiTimes that presently Bauchi State has no confirm recorded cases of cholera.
Dr Mohammed added that their surveillance team conducted tests using rapid diagnostic kits on the 53 suspected cases from the 7 LGAs, and the results indicated that none of the cases were cholera related.
Bauchi state’s vigilance
Dr Mohammed said the State with support of partners tackled cholera outbreak in the past “In 2021, a devastating cholera outbreak affected 29,000 people, resulting in 500 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) stepped in and provided Bauchi state with 1.5 million vaccines. Since then, the number of cholera cases has significantly decreased,” Dr. Mohammed noted.
He added “To prevent cholera outbreak we have activated our surveillance team on standby for any suspected cases.
“Additionally, health partners such as UNICEF have lunched an awareness campaign, the NCDC has provided 100 rapid diagnostic kits for testing, and the WHO, along with other organizations is collaborating to combat the disease.”
According to him, the state urban renewal project which achieves about 80% completion in water supply provision would help in combating the challenge.
He added that Gov. Bala Mohammed has directed the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) to ensure each community in the state receives one borehole to help eradicate the spread of the disease.
“To further this goal, the governor has emphasized monthly sanitation efforts, where community officers supervise the cleaning of their houses and environment.
Dr. Mohammed also told WikkiTimes that the governor has lifted the embargo by hiring 1000 doctors and nurse in the state, adding “we have directives to recruit qualified doctors and nurses to address the staffing gap.”
“Our surveillance team is highly active and prepared for the cholera pandemic, our Diseases Surveillance and Notification System (DSN) promptly alerts us on any suspected cases, ensuring that we are ready to combat the situation and prevent escalation,” he stated.
