Humanitarian organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said no fewer than seven persons have died of Cholera in Maiduguri in the past three weeks.
The organization, otherwise known as Doctors Without Borders, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri. The statement, signed by Anna Cillers, the MSF Medical Coordinator, noted that 200 others were admitted at Muna and Dala camps’ cholera treatment Centre.
Cillers stated that the seven persons who died of the disease were at the Muna Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri.
She said that the outbreak was due to flood and poor sanitary condition. “In the last 24 hours, we received over 50 patients at MSF Cholera Treatment Unit at Dala. Total number of patients admitted from the start of the outbreak till now is over 200, with 100 discharged and seven
deaths”, she stated.
Cillers also disclosed that the organization has scaled up activities to contain the disease and set up two treatment centers at
Muna camp and Dala area of Maiduguri.
According to her, the organization has also set up a 40-bed capacity treatment center at Dala area of Maiduguri and conducted chlorine spray exercise of water points, as well as distributed rehydration therapy to residents.
She advised people to seek medical attention when they fell sick and drink rehydration solution as first-aid measure against the disease.
However, the Borno Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mahalia, said eight persons died of the disease.
He disclosed that the state government had set up a 30-bed capacity clinic at Muna camp to enhance treatment and control of the disease.
The commissioner said that the Borno Government had sensitized community leaders to mobilize their people on hygiene and sanitation, and the need to keep their environment clean.