In response to the cholera outbreak of 12 May 2018, the first round of the 2-phase oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaign has kicked-off in high-risk wards of Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas (LGAs) of Adamawa State.
This report was made available by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Abuja.
This, According to Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Nigeria, is a part its health emergencies response strategy of the organization.
“WHO is leading other health partners to support the health authorities to control the ongoing cholera outbreak in Adamawa state”. Said Alemu
He noted that “Although, new cases are still being reported through the WHO-led active house-to-house search, it is hoped that the cholera vaccination campaign will help to reduce transmission in the remaining areas of Maiha, Mubi North and Mubi South LGAs.”
“This is also the first ever cholera vaccination exercise in the state, following the release of 750,000 doses of OCV by International Coordinating Group (ICG)” he noted.
“The initial batch of 378 815 doses of the vaccine has already been delivered to Nigeria for the first round of the campaign while vaccines for the second round will be released based on successful implementation and report of the first round”.
Confirming the kick off campaign, Dr Fatima Abubakar, Adamawa state Commissioner for Health pointed out that “Since the confirmation of cholera outbreak in parts of the state, a swift outbreak response, including active house-to-house case search, case management and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities, are being implemented to ensure the outbreak is timely controlled” .
“Although more than 1,500 cases have been reported including 25 deaths, transmission is limited to few areas of the affected LGAs, an oral cholera vaccination campaign at this point will help to stem the tide of transmission in the remaining hot spots.” Abubakar stressed.
Presently, with funding support from GAVI Alliance, WHO is providing technical support to the health authorities at the state, LGA and communities levels to ensure quality implementation of the vaccination exercises.
Preparatory for the campaign, WHO in collaboration with Adamawa state Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and partners, developed micro plans for the campaign.
More than 2,200 personnel including 303 vaccination teams, 275 supervisors, recorders and community members have been trained and engaged in the vaccination campaign.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera and remains a global threat to public health.
The vaccination campaign is to be implemented from 10 to 17 June 2018.
