CHOLERA: FG Seeks Vaccine Donations as Cases Hit 1,579

The Federal Government may get emergency vaccine doses from the Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, to contain the cholera outbreak in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, Dr Sania Nishtar, in a post on her X handle @SaniaNishtar, on Thursday, said the body was concerned about the cholera outbreak in Nigeria and was ready to support the country in its response.

She tweeted, “Deeply concerned about the ongoing #cholera outbreak in Nigeria. @Gavi and partners are closely monitoring the cholera outbreak, and stand ready to support the government to quickly respond, including to request emergency vaccine doses where needed.

“The global cholera stockpile, which is funded by Gavi, is currently fully replenished and ready to help contain outbreaks and protect those at highest risk.”

There are three World Health Organisation pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines available – Dukoral®, Shanchol™, and Euvichol®.

The vaccines require two doses for full protection.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, on Monday, activated the Emergency Operation Centre which underscored the gravity of the situation in the country.

The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said the EOC would serve as the nerve centre for the coordination of response across the country.

It would also support affected states, facilitate rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making processes.

“It will ensure efficient deployment of needed resources, strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity and capabilities, enhance case management, training and intensify public awareness and community engagement activities,” Idris started.

He noted that experts who conducted the risk assessment last week placed Nigeria at high risk of increased cholera transmission and impact.

Meanwhile, the Incident Management of the EOC, Dr Muntari Hassan, stated that the outbreak had killed 54 persons as of Wednesday.

Hassan said 1,579 suspected cases were recorded in 32 states across 115 local government areas.

Speaking with our correspondent, he said, “The outbreak has been declared an emergency, hence the activation of the Emergency Operation Centre on Monday.”

Giving the update in Osun State in an interview, the Commissioner for Health, Mr Jola Akinola, said out of the 14 suspected cases, 13 results obtained so far turned out to be negative, with one result still being expected.

He, however, said the state would not lower its guard, as no effort would be spared to ensure no cholera outbreak in Osun.

“We just finished the cholera technical group meeting. The summary of the report is still the same thing. As of today, we have recorded 14 suspected cases. The results of 13 out of the 14 are negative. So we are expecting the 14th case

“Even at that, the boy that his sample was taken to the laboratory was playing football at the time the state team visited the household. We were responsible for the drugs administered to him. He is hale and hearty, but we will wait for the result by tomorrow (Friday). So, no confirmed case yet,” Akinola said.

Officials from the state Ministry of Health held a sensitisation rally against cholera at Sabo Market, Ile-Ife.

The market men and women were addressed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Mr Richard Afolayan, and the Director of Environmental Health and Sanitation in the ministry, Mr Wale Akala.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, however, said curbing the cholera outbreak was everyone’s responsibility.

“Let me tell you that cholera is a responsibility of everybody. We all need to be sure that the water we drink is potable. We all must see that our communities are not defecating inside water sources. We must ensure that water and sanitation efforts are improved across our communities. We all need to be sure that the food we eat is hygienic and clean. So, it’s a collective effort,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Health Emergency Initiative, on Thursday, stressed the need for public education and emergency response training to prepare society for handling emergencies.

The call was made during the first responders training for post-crash intervention and the reduction of non-communicable diseases, held at the Rome Business School in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of HEI, Paschal Achunine, underscored the need to address the cholera outbreak.

“Our mantra is that none should die. People are dying from medical issues that require minimal financial intervention,” Achunine said.

“We aim to support those who need it most, especially in neighbourhoods where safe water, good food, and decent housing are unaffordable,” he added.

Achunine said HEI had supported 7,260 individuals across 12 states, including Lagos. “We train to save lives. Knowledge, they say, is power. That’s why everyone needs to be a lifesaver in every little,” he said.

The Deputy Director of Nursing at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Sola Aketi, during a chat with our correspondent, praised HEI’s efforts to reduce avoidable deaths and improve healthcare access.

“During outbreaks like cholera, we conduct extensive campaigns through media, motorised efforts, and house-to-house visits to raise awareness about the disease and how to prevent it,” Aketi said.

Speaking on the role of first responders in improving survival rates during emergencies, a consultant family physician and a facilitator at the event, Odunaye-Badmus Sakeenah, stressed the importance of rehydration in treating cholera.

“Rehydration with Oral Rehydration Solution is vital. One can mix one litre of clean water with ORS or prepare the salt-sugar solution at home. With just one teaspoon of salt and six teaspoons of sugar mixed in a litre of clean water and ensuring the person continues to drink can save lives,” she noted.