By Lizzy Carr
The World Health Organisation, WHO, has donated 1.5 million doses of cholera vaccine to Bauchi government, as the state commences vaccination against the scourge that has so far claimed 42 lives and 1239 cases recorded.
in some highly affected wards.
The chairman of the state primary healthcare development agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammad disclosed this during the inauguration of the vaccination of highly affected wards on Saturday.
“The disease that was first reported in Ningi in May, has now spread to 19 of the 20 local government areas of the state with the exception of Bogoro.
“The agency has intensified community vigilance, chlorination of wells and disinfection of affected communities.
“Bauchi is the only state that has received the vaccine and it’s meant for 16 most affected wards in Bauchi local government area; two wards in Toro and two in Dass local government,” the chairman said.
According to him, the vaccine has been spilt to first and second doses with two weeks interval and that the vaccination, which will run for five days, would take place in health facilities and palaces of ward heads.
He acknowledged the efforts of Medicins Sans Frontiers, Nigeria Red Cross, Action Aid and Action Against Hunger towards the fight to contain the spread of the disease.
Representative of WHO, Abba Ngala advised parents to take their children for the vaccine.
“Cholera is a very deadly disease thus people should take advantage of the vaccine to protect themselves.”
Chukwudi Nsude of Medicins Sans Frontiers said vaccination must be accompanied with personal and environmental hygiene.
District Head of Bauchi, Nuru Jumba pledged that traditional institutions have resolved to mobilize members of their communities to take the vaccine.
“In as much as people will clean their environment, the agency in charge of evacuating refuse, must do so on time to avoid the spread of diseases.”
