11 dead in Borno Cholera outbreak

Health officials in Borno said on Friday that death toll from suspected cholera outbreak at the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Biu, Biu Local Government Area had risen to 11.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that about five people  were last week confirmed dead following the outbreak of the disease at the camp.

The Principal Medical Officer at Biu General Hospital, Dr. Edward Diga, told a team of officials from the Borno Ministry of Health in Biu that the epidemic had claimed more lives.

Diga said no fewer than 325 cases were handled at the hospital, adding that “we treated about 325 cases at the hospital, unfortunately, 11 people died out of the number.

“We still have about 30 people on admission, while the rest have been treated and discharged,’’ he said.

Diga blamed the rising spread of the disease on the influx of IDPs from camps due to the continuous Boko Haram insurgency attacks on villages.

“Mass movement of displaced persons from surrounding villages to Biu caused by insurgency attack has actually worsened the spread of the disease.

“I wish to commend the state government for its timely intervention and support toward curtailing the spread,’’ he said.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salma Kolo, said the team was at the camp to present drugs and other essential items provided by the government.

Kolo was represented at the occasion by Dr. Lawi Mishelia, the Director of Public Health.

She advised health officials to be cautious and innovative in handling suspected cholera cases to prevent and curtail the spread.