By Ayodele Oni
Within five days, an outbreak of cholera epidemic has killed 13 persons and caused the hospitalisation of 236 in Niger State.
The outbreak has been reported in six local government areas of the State.
The outbreak, which was first reported on Sunday in Shiroro Local Government Area, has since spread to Bosso, Minna, Magama, Bida, and Munya local government areas, with health officials confirming a rapid escalation of cases across the locations.
According to sources, the most severely affected areas include Chanchaga (Minna), Bosso, and Shiroro, where a spike in infections has triggered emergency medical interventions.
Confirming the development, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, revealed that the state had adopted a multi-sectoral approach to curb the outbreak.
“We have set up treatment and isolation centres to mitigate the spread, and we are also embarking on aggressive sensitization campaigns.”
He added that the awareness campaign was being extended to influential community platforms for maximum reach.
“The awareness drive is targeting religious bodies such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Islamic groups, and the eight emirates in the state.
“To bolster containment efforts, the government has opened an isolation centre at the old wing of the Late Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta Primary Healthcare Centre located on Old Airport Road in Minna.
Dangana commended Governor Umaru Bago for his swift intervention and also acknowledged the contributions of donor agencies supporting the state’s emergency response.
Supporting Dangana’s position, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Tertiary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, confirmed that Minna, Bosso, and Shiroro remained the epicentres of the outbreak.
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