The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is to submit a cholera vaccination request to the International Coordinating Group (ICG) and the Global Task Force for Cholera Control (GTFCC).
This was disclosed by the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chike Ihekweazu, during an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja. Noting that the centre will also submit the request to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Since 2013, the ICG for Cholera manages the global stockpile of oral cholera vaccine which was created as an additional tool to help control cholera epidemics.
It works closely with vaccine producers, through WHO and UNICEF, and following disease trends.
Ihekweazu noted with concern that deaths arising from Cholera had risen to 1,768 as at Aug 15.
He said that 47,603 suspected cases had also been reported from 23 states since the beginning of 2021.
Ihekweazu said the centre will soon conduct training on cholera surveillance, hot spot mapping and development of state-level preparedness and response plans ahead of subsequent cases.
Ihekweazu said the centre has recorded challenges in accessing some communities with the needed interventions due to security issues, highlighting that open defecation in communities had also been a major contributor.
The NCDC boss highlighted the lack of potable water in the rural communities, inadequate manpower for cholera outbreak as well as an insufficient vaccine to go round the affected local government areas had been attributed as challenges being encountered in the cause of responding to the outbreak.
To reduce the risk of cholera, the NCDC said people must ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and safe container before drinking.
The centre also advises good personal hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap under clean running water, among others.
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