By Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has said that cholera is a “notorious difficult disease” that kills; if the rights measures and treatment are not taken to save people’s lives.
Ihekweazu raised the alarm on Thursday in Maiduguri, while fielding questions from journalists on outbreaks of cholera in Borno state that claimed 20 lives in camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He said that the water borne disease has also spread to resettlements camps in Dikwa, Jere and Monguno Local Government Areas of the state.
He however said that the response to cholera has been vigorous with the setting up of treatment centres in the three affected council areas and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).
His words: “The critical message we have just received, is that the Borno state government has responded vigourously to cholera outbreaks and containments. “Cholera is a notorious difficult disease; it appears simple, but it can kill if you don’t do the right thing. Yes, we have an outbreak,
but together we partner the Federal and State Governments; and the response has been vigourous.
“I’m confident that we will get on top of this water borne disease that has already claimed the lives of people.” On prevention, Ihekweazu said: “The key thing with cholera; is that nobody wants to die. The important thing is to prevent cases, as the prevention methods are fairly easy. “It is clean water. If you have clean water and if you use boiled water and good water to drink; you will not get cholera. We understand that this is a very difficult thing to do in some of the IDPs camps. But at the reality of our people here; so we have to provide those extra services for them. “We also know what to do to prevent and treat cholera; because the water borne disease is not like Lassa and Ebola.”
