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…As 35 states get 65,000 new cases this year
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has disclosed that Nigeria has recorded more than 65,000 suspected cases of cholera this year across 35 states and approximately 195 local government areas.
Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, however, said Enugu State stands alone as the only state in the country yet to report a case of cholera this year, attributing the development to the proactive measures being taken by the state government.
The NCDC boss also raised concerns over the response to disease outbreaks in some parts of the country, saying the actions or lack of adequate response by some states were contributing to poor outbreak management.
He stressed that effective disease control required states to take ownership of public health emergencies and respond promptly once cases were detected.
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Speaking specifically on Enugu, Idris dismissed any suggestion that the absence of reported cholera cases could be due to concealment, stressing that the state government had been taking deliberate steps to prevent an outbreak.
“Enugu is the only state that has not reported cholera this year. It’s not that they are hiding the case, but the government is seriously proactive,” Idris said.
The NCDC boss said he had visited Enugu State more than once and held discussions with the commissioner for Health as well as the governor, adding that his interactions with the state authorities and evidences on ground confirmed that the government was actively doing what was necessary to prevent cholera.
“I have visited the state more than once. I have had a extensive discussions with the Commissioner and Governor. I can confirmed that the government of Enugu is serious minded one, and active in doing the needful,” he said.
Idris explained that cholera was not exclusively a seasonal disease, noting that it could occur throughout the year but usually recorded increased transmission during the rainy season. “Cholera is an all-year-round disease, but it peaks during the rainy season,” he said.
