Yola, Adamawa State — A cholera outbreak in the Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State has resulted in at least seven confirmed deaths, with 71 others hospitalized. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported the outbreak, which has affected several communities, including Alkalawa, Doubeli, Rumde, and Gwadabawa.

In a statement released on X.com on Tuesday, NEMA attributed the outbreak to recent flooding, which contaminated the communities’ primary drinking water sources. The floodwaters have severely impacted water quality, leading to the rapid spread of cholera.

As of September 16, 2024, the outbreak has seen 71 individuals hospitalized, with more than 100 people under monitoring and observation. The influx of patients has caused overflow at the isolation center, prompting the transfer of some cases to the Federal Medical Centre.

The statement highlighted the urgent measures being implemented to curb the disease. “NEMA, along with the Adamawa State government, has initiated emergency interventions, including the chlorination of toilets and water sources to reduce infection spread,” it read. Additionally, community education efforts are underway to raise awareness about cholera and preventive measures.

The cholera outbreak in Yola North adds to the ongoing health crisis in Nigeria. PUNCH Online reported on June 24 that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had recorded 1,528 suspected cases of cholera and 53 deaths across 31 states. The Federal Government has activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera to manage and coordinate the response to the outbreak.

Dr. Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and swift response to contain the spread of the disease. NEMA and state authorities are working closely to mitigate the impact and prevent further casualties.