More than one million residents of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area have been vaccinated against cholera as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the deadly outbreak sweeping across Borno State.
The mass vaccination campaign, led by the Borno State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization and other partners, targets communities hardest hit by the disease.
According to health authorities, more than 24,000 suspected cholera cases and 143 deaths have been recorded across 20 local government areas since the outbreak was declared. Nearly 80 per cent of the infections are concentrated in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere.
To curb the spread of the disease, a total of 3.4 million doses of the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) have been allocated for residents aged one year and above, making it one of Nigeria’s largest reactive cholera vaccination campaigns.
Beyond vaccination, WHO said it has expanded emergency interventions with support from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Rapid Response funding and the Contingency Fund for Emergencies.
The organisation said it is strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory testing, active case searches, risk communication, community engagement, case management and the provision of emergency medical supplies to halt transmission and reduce fatalities.
WHO disclosed that it has supported the treatment of about 5,700 cholera patients and supplied 29 cholera treatment kits, each capable of treating 100 patients. It has also delivered 30,000 Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) sachets, 100 cholera beds and other treatment infrastructure, helping to keep the case fatality rate below one per cent.
Health officials commended frontline healthcare workers, community volunteers and humanitarian partners for their continued efforts to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable communities across Borno State.
