The Borno State government, Northeast Nigeria on Tuesday raised alarm of fresh outbreak of cholera in the State, saying that at least 43 people have been killed out of 559 cases reported so far.
Borno State is the epicentre of Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorism in Nigeria.
Health Commissioner, Juliana Bitrus, who declared the outbreak at a press conference in Maiduguri, the State capital, said that “acute diarrhoea cases as at 30 August we have recorded 43 death and 595 cases so far.
“So we have 67 cases and 59 on admission. Gwoza is the most affected, with 353 cases of infection and 18 death. Kaga has 22 cases of infection, with two death. A total 126 infections are in Hauwu, where 11 have died.
“Magemeri has six cases and one death, Damboa has 39 cases and 10 deaths, Maiduguri municipal has cases; Jere has eight cases and one death.”
She urged general public desist from any acts that would further worsen the situation as government had taken steps to ensure the outbreak is brought under control in the shortest time.
Sources said that the outbreak is exacerbated by insecurity which makes the provision and access to basic amenities “very difficult, resulting in poor living conditions.”