As part of the preparedness efforts to address a potential cholera outbreak within the territory, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has activated its Cholera Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) following the confirmation of 11 cases out of 32 suspected cases of the disease.
The Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Baba Gana Adam stressed the need for the activation, citing a widespread of cholera cases nationwide.
While activating the Cholera Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), he stressed that, as a rapidly growing city, the FCT remains vulnerable to cholera, making it crucial to adopt preventive and containment strategies to mitigate any potential outbreak.
According to him, the Secretariat would commit all necessary resources to avert a cholera crisis, calling on stakeholders to collaborate and develop effective, sustainable strategies to curb the disease.
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In response, the FCT Public Health Department convened a Cholera Update meeting, gathering key stakeholders to assess the situation, focusing on mapping high-risk areas and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each party in addressing the threat.
During the meeting, the Acting Director of the FCT Public Health Department, Dan Gadzama said, “The FCT recently recorded about 32 suspected cases, with 3 laboratory-confirmed cases and 8 confirmed cases through Rapid Diagnostic Tests.
“This prompted the activation of the Cholera Emergency Operations Centre to prevent the escalation and spread of the disease,” he said.
Gadzama emphasized that the FCT had implemented several preparedness measures even before the first cholera cases were confirmed.
These measures, according to him, include identifying high-risk areas, which are now on high alert, launching public education and awareness campaigns, and providing training for healthcare workers.
Also, he said a Cholera Incident Management Team has been established, comprising relevant stakeholders, explaining that cholera, an infectious bacterial disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, spreads through contaminated food, water, and feces.
He also underscored the importance of addressing environmental factors in controlling the disease, highlighting the active role of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) in the ongoing cholera control efforts.
FCT State Epidemiologist Lawal Lukman Ademola emphasized that cholera is linked to a lack of clean drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate food hygiene.
He also echoed the need for government, individuals, and communities to play active roles in prevention.
With the confirmed cases, he said the FCT Public Health Emergency Operations Center (FCT-PHEOC) is now in response mode, continuing public awareness campaigns on preventing cholera and other diseases like Mpox.