Cholera deaths rise to 79 in Katsina, Gombe, 1,611 infected

Katsina State on Tuesday confirmed that the death toll from the cholera outbreak in the state had risen to 75 from recorded cases of 1,534 in 25 local government areas.

The State Commissioner for Health, Yakubu Danja, made the disclosure at a press conference in Katsina.

He said, “As of August 8, 2021, a total of 1,534 cases, including 75 deaths have been reported from 25 LGAs.”

Danja explained that Funtua LGA recorded 18 deaths, Charanchi, 14; Jibia, 11; Kankara, 5; while Sabuwa and Rimi recorded four deaths each. Other local government areas where casualties had been recorded were Kafur, 3; Katsina, 3; Batagarawa, 2; Batsari, 2; Dandume, 2; Malumfashi, 2; Danja, 1; Kaita, 1; Kankia, 1; Kusada, 1 and Musawa, 1.

The commissioner further explained that the state received the first report of suspected diarrhoea and vomiting on May 5, 2021, in Funtua.

“Of the reported cases, 67 per cent are aged 15 years and above while three cases were reported for under one. Of all the reported cases, 53 per cent are male.

“Funtua LGA had the highest number of cases with 384 followed by Sabuwa with 232, Kafur, 215; Charanchi, 135; Kankara, 71; and Jibia with 69 cases.“In terms of mortality, Funtua also leads with 18, followed by Charanchi which has 14, Jibia, 11; Kankara, five, while Rimi and Sabuwa are having four each.”

Danja said security challenges were hindering medical personnel from accessing some communities for active case search. The commissioner listed efforts being made to curb the spread of the disease in the state to include procurement and distribution of more drugs, intensification of active case search, as well as more enlightenment campaigns in rural areas.