Doctors Without Borders, an international Non-Governmental Organisation, has decried the worsening incidents of the cholera outbreak raging in the northwest state of Zamfara, following the recent record of 1,500 new cases of the disease.
The organisation said that between mid-June to early August, over 1,500 patients have been taken into its facilities across the state, a development that indicates the prevalence of the outbreak in the state.
David Kizito, MSF’s medical coordinator in Nigeria, noted that the raging outbreak is occurring in the context of insecurity, displacement, and limited access to clean water and sanitation, as well as an exacerbated rainy season.
Kizito stated this in a statement issued by the organisation, a copy seen by BusinessDay, indicated that while cholera has been endemic to Nigeria for decades, seasonal outbreaks typically intensify between April and October, and it has been compounded by the flooding being experienced across the state.
“During this period, contaminated water sources accelerated the spread of the disease in areas with poor sanitation. Cholera can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting. If left untreated, it can lead to rapid dehydration and even death within hours.
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“In response to the outbreak, MSF has scaled up its water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions and promotional activities alongside other humanitarian actors and the state MOH – which activated a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on 3 July.
“We have particularly invested efforts in hotspot areas like Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Talata Mafara, where access to safe water remains critically low, ensuring access to safe drinking water through boiling, practising regular handwashing, consuming freshly prepared meals, avoiding open defecation, and keeping vaccinations up to date are straightforward yet highly effective measures to safeguard yourself and your family from preventable diseases”, the statement further stated.
The organisation said that it is currently expanding cholera medical treatment, and in addition to these preventative measures, it medical teams are providing treatment at MSF-supported facilities across the state.
“In mid-June, following the first suspected case of cholera at an MSF-supported medical facility, the organisation increased its case management and surveillance response in Zamfara, in addition to its scaled-up WASH activities.
“In Zurmi, MSF and other humanitarian actors supported the MOH in opening a cholera treatment centre (CTC) in Zurmi General Hospital. In July, MSF supported the MOH in opening a cholera treatment unit (CTU) at the Talata Mafara General Hospital and a CTC at Shinkafi General Hospital.
“Also, in the Zurmi CTC, medical teams reported 562 suspected cases of cholera – the majority from Yambuki, Kadamusa, and Zurmi town – between 16 June and 5 August.
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“In Shinkafi General Hospital, medical teams recorded approximately 401 cases between 11 July and 5 August. The most affected areas were in Shinkafi North Ward, especially within Alkalawa, Sabon Gari and Kurya. Fifty-eight cases originated from Isa LGA in Sokoto State.
“And in the Talata Mafara CTU, over 600 cases were recorded between 1 July and 8 August. Kayaye accounted for the highest percentage of cases, but the CTU received cases as far as LGAs like Anka and Bakura.
“As cholera continues to threaten lives across Zamfara, MSF remains committed to working alongside communities, health authorities, and other partners to ensure timely treatment, prevention, and support.
“MSF emphasises the importance of setting up decentralised oral rehydration points and enabling all existing primary healthcare centres to treat mild and moderate suspected cholera cases. This will ensure timely treatment, reduce complications, and allow prompt referral to dedicated CTCs in hospitals such as Zurmi, Shinkafi, and Talata.
“Moreover, urgent cholera vaccination is needed to halt transmission and save lives. The participation of everyone in Zamfara is needed to reduce the spread. No one should die from a preventable disease”, the statement explained
