Nigeria: Cholera outbreak claims 18 lives

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

A cholera outbreak in northeastern Nigeria has claimed 18 lives, a UN body said on Sunday.

The deaths were reported from Borno State which represents 2.6 percent of the 680 cases under treatment, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

Quoting local officials, the agency said the outbreak was first detected on Aug. 19 and has spread across eight local governments in the state long ravaged by the Boko Haram violence.

“The following cases have been recorded: Jere (218 including 2 deaths); Magumeri (156 including 4 deaths); Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (141 including 5 deaths); Chibok (85 including 3 deaths); Konduga (38 including 3 deaths); Kaga (28 including 1 death); Damboa (8); and Shani (6),” according to a statement.

The agency said the most effective prevention measures against cholera are basic hygiene practices such as the use of clean and safe water and proper sanitation as hygiene promotion activities, including radio broadcasts which are underway in the affected communities.

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

A cholera outbreak in northeastern Nigeria has claimed 18 lives, a UN body said on Sunday.

The deaths were reported from Borno State which represents 2.6 percent of the 680 cases under treatment, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

Quoting local officials, the agency said the outbreak was first detected on Aug. 19 and has spread across eight local governments in the state long ravaged by the Boko Haram violence.