Hence, the organisation said it had allocated $2m through its Nigeria Humanitarian Fund to support the response to the disease in the state.
In a statement by the Head of Communications, OCHA Nigeria, Samantha Newport, the body said, “Since the beginning of the outbreak, which was officially declared in four local government areas on March 28, a total of 404 cases and 15 deaths have been reported, representing a 3.7 per cent case fatality rate.
“The United Nations and its partners activated an immediate emergency response in the affected communities in support of the state Ministry of Health. However, additional resources are needed to ensure that the outbreak is contained, especially ahead of the rainy season when the risk of outbreak and spread of water-borne diseases are higher.”
The statement also quoted the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, as saying, “Cholera outbreak can potentially impact and kill thousands of people who are living in overcrowded places such as camps for internally displaced persons.
“Surveillance and early detection are key to limiting the number of fatalities and the spread of the outbreak,” he added.
Punch
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