No fewer than 12 people have lost their lives due to a cholera outbreak in Adamawa State, according to the State Commissioner for Health, Chief Felix Tangwami.
Speaking in Yola today, Chief Tangwami confirmed that the outbreak has affected four local government areas: Yola South, Yola North, Fufore, and Girei.
The Commissioner emphasized that the state government, in collaboration with development partners, is actively working to contain the situation. He revealed that 200,000 cholera vaccines have been secured from UNICEF, and efforts are underway to isolate patients, provide treatment, and conduct laboratory tests to confirm the organism causing the acute watery diarrhea.
“These proactive measures taken by the government have significantly helped in curbing the spread of the epidemic,” Chief Tangwami stated, urging families to maintain strict personal hygiene and sanitation to help tackle the outbreak.
Addressing concerns about the delay in announcing the outbreak, Chief Tangwami explained that it was crucial to first identify the organism responsible for the acute watery diarrhea. “Announcing the epidemic without confirmation would have been unethical and could have serious consequences for the state,” he noted.
Providing an update on the situation, the commissioner revealed that out of 38 samples sent to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Abuja for confirmation, 30 tested positive for cholera, six were negative, two are still undergoing isolation, and 12 are pending.
“With these results, I want to confirm to the public that there is an outbreak of cholera in Adamawa State. People should be cautious about their movements, interactions, personal hygiene, and the source of water they consume,” he warned.
Chief Tangwami also provided data on the current impact of the outbreak, stating that a total of 308 people have been admitted, 244 treated and discharged, while 12 deaths have been recorded – six occurring at health facilities and six at home.
He assured the public that the state government, through its health workers, is doing everything possible to contain the situation, just as it has done in the past with similar outbreaks. “The government has provided all the necessary support to prevent the spread of cholera to other areas,” he concluded.
