The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that more than one million residents of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area have been vaccinated against cholera as part of a massive emergency response to contain the disease outbreak in Borno State.
The vaccination campaign, being implemented in collaboration with the Borno State Government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF and other partners, is one of the largest reactive cholera vaccination exercises ever undertaken in Nigeria.
According to WHO, the intervention became necessary following the outbreak of cholera in the state, which has so far resulted in more than 24,000 suspected cases and 143 deaths across 20 local government areas. Nearly 80 per cent of the cases have been recorded in MMC and Jere.
“Today, more than one million people in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere have received oral cholera vaccines that help protect families and communities in Borno State,” the organisation stated.
WHO disclosed that a total of 3.4 million doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) have been allocated for the campaign to protect residents aged one year and above from the highly infectious disease.
The organisation, however, stressed that vaccination represents only one aspect of the comprehensive response being deployed to halt transmission and save lives.
With support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Rapid Response mechanism and the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies, the agency said it is working closely with partners to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, active case detection, risk communication, community engagement and case management.
WHO noted that the integrated response is aimed at reducing infections, improving treatment outcomes and preventing further spread of the disease in affected communities.
The organisation revealed that it has supported the treatment of an estimated 5,700 cholera patients since the outbreak began and supplied 29 cholera treatment kits to health facilities.
According to WHO, each cholera kit contains sufficient medical supplies to treat up to 100 patients.
In addition, the agency said it has provided 30,000 sachets of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), 100 cholera beds and other treatment infrastructure to strengthen healthcare delivery and support emergency response efforts.
WHO added that these interventions have helped maintain the cholera case fatality rate below one per cent despite the scale of the outbreak.
The organisation commended frontline health workers, community volunteers and humanitarian partners for their dedication in implementing vaccination, treatment and awareness campaigns across affected communities.
WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Borno State Government and health authorities in controlling the outbreak and protecting vulnerable populations from the threat posed by cholera.
“Frontline health workers, community volunteers and partners are working every day to protect lives in Borno State,” the organisation stated.
