Katsina has recorded 118 suspected Cholera cases, prompting the activation of the incident management system in the state. This was disclosed by Dr. Kabir Suleiman, the Incidence Manager and Director of Epidemiology at the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, during a press conference on Wednesday.
Dr. Suleiman emphasized that the state is fully prepared to prevent the spread of Cholera and other vaccine-preventable outbreaks. The agency has activated its Incident Management System as part of the measures taken by the state government to ensure effective management of the Cholera outbreak.
In an effort to combat the outbreak, the state government has embarked on building approximately 102 health facilities across the Local Government Areas (LGAs). Additionally, they are considering other interventions such as the improvement of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, solarization, and the rehabilitation of boreholes in many LGAs. The state has also designated 34 comprehensive Health Centers with Cholera treatment units and centers for the admission of Cholera cases.
According to the Global Taskforce for Cholera Control, ten LGAs in Katsina are classified as high-risk areas, with Funtua, Jibia, and Batsari LGAs topping the list. Dr. Suleiman noted that the state has started the deployment of commodities to the 34 LGAs due to the high-risk status highlighted by the global task force.
“We have also commenced the deployment of commodities to the 34 LGAs of the state because Katsina is one of the states termed as high risk for Cholera based on the report of the global task force for Cholera control,” said Dr. Suleiman. “We also have Oral Rehydration Points and maintain a very sensitive surveillance system with regular reporting in those areas to manage the situation.”
At present, there is no Cholera outbreak in the state, but the government is fully prepared to coordinate any potential outbreak. The necessary gadgets and resources are available from the LGA to the state level to respond effectively to these outbreaks.
Dr. Suleiman explained that Cholera is a severe illness characterized by acute diarrhea and is commonly associated with significant complications. The disease is caused by bacteria and can lead to serious health issues if not managed properly. Katsina, with a population of over nine million people spread across 34 LGAs and 361 wards, has 21 LGAs that are security-compromised, making disease management even more challenging.
The state has a routine surveillance system operating 24/7 throughout the year, allowing for the detection of all priority diseases, including Cholera. During week 12 of this year, around March, the state experienced a significant outbreak of Cholera in Kusada LGA, where 68 cases were recorded with one death. The rapid response team, supported by the government and partners, effectively managed this outbreak.
As of today, Katsina has recorded 118 suspected cases of Cholera, with two confirmed cases from Kusada LGA. The state maintains an alert system, with trained rapid response teams, surveillance officers, and notification officers ready to detect and respond to cases promptly.
In terms of infection prevention and control, measures are in place to prevent the spread of the infection, especially within healthcare settings. Risk communication efforts are also underway, with the production of jingles set to air soon to sensitize the public. Additionally, over 3,000 Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCMs) have been trained to go from house to house, educating women on personal hygiene, the use of sanitary water, and the importance of consuming well-cooked food.
The comprehensive efforts by the state government, healthcare agencies, and community partners highlight the proactive measures taken to address and manage the Cholera situation in Katsina.
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