Cholera Death Toll Rises to 75 in Katsina

By Francis Sardauna

The Katsina State Government on Tuesday confirmed that the death toll from cholera outbreak in the state has risen from 60 to 75 and recorded cases from 1,400 to 1,534 across the 25 local government areas of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Yakubu Nuhu Danja, who disclosed this at a press conference in Katsina, said the cases and deaths were recorded between May 5 and August 8, 2021.

He explained that Funtua Local Government has 18 deaths, Charanchi 14, Jibia 11, Kankara five, while Sabuwa and Rimi recorded four deaths each.

He said: “The state received the first report of suspected diarrhoea and vomiting from 5th May, 2021 in Funtua. As at 8th August 2021, a total of 1,534 cases including 75 deaths in 25 LGAs.

“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.”

He reiterated that security challenges were hindering medical personnel to access some communities for active case search, lamenting that influx of visitors to cases on admission can lead to further spread.

He, however, said active case search and contact tracing by Out Break Response (OBR) and Covid-19 contact tracing teams was ongoing across the state 34 local government areas of the state.

Danja added that rapid diagnostic cholera, medical supply kits and consumables have been distributed to the affected local governments for prompt detection of cases to tackle morbidity and mortality.