The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Field Epidemiology Network have deployed a rapid response team to Zamfara state in order to help combat the recent cholera outbreak that hits the state.
Since the outbreak began on Jan. 15, the state has recorded more than 11,000 cases with a 1.6% case fatality rate. All 14 local government areas have been affected, with over 60% of cases reported in the Talata Mafara, Gusau, Bungudu and Zurmi areas.
According to the spokesman of the state Ministry for Health Sulaiman Isah, the outbreak, worsened by insecurity and humanitarian challenges, poses a major public health concern.
“To strengthen the response, seven Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program residents and one graduate were deployed for 14 days in high-burden areas”.
Their mandates include supporting surveillance and case management to control the outbreak while coordinating with the State PHEOC.
In addition to the personnel, the CDC-AFENET also delivered 29,500 essential medical items. These included 40,000 medicines like oral rehydration salts, Ringer’s lactate, dextrose water, and normal saline.
The delivery also contained 3,900 consumables such as IV cannulas, gloves, and cotton wool; 500 infection prevention and control supplies like hand sanitizer and sodium hypochlorite; and 1,000 personal protective equipment items, including IV giving sets.
Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Aliyu, the rapid response team Lead, presented the supplies to the state’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Nafisa Muhammad Maradun.
Dr. Maradun described the support as “massive and one that will go a long way in controlling the outbreak.”
She assured that the donated items will be distributed judiciously to achieve the desired objectives.
