Culled from Rivers State Ministry of Health X handle:

#Cholera Status Report in Rivers State – “No Active Cases Reported but we are in heightened surveillance.”

“In the past couple of days, there have been nationwide reports about #Cholera outbreaks across some of the states in the country. I would therefore like to share a brief update with the public on the status in Rivers State.

On the 9th of June 2024, the Rivers State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (@RiversPHEOC) received notification of some suspected cases of Cholera disease outbreak at Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area (LGA).

@RiversPHEOC was further notified of two associated dead in the community with similar symptoms by the LGA Rapid Response Team (RRT) led by the State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO).
The State RRT mobilized to support the LGA RRT to ascertain diagnosis, manage and contain the incident.

I wish to emphasize here that there are currently NO ACTIVE CASES reported.

The State Surveillance Team carried out the following:

◀️State surveillance team comprised of the State Rapid Response Team (State RRT), Primary Health Care team, LGA RRT, representative of the World Health Organization, visited the affected Ngo community.

◀️Advocacy visits to community leaders (Chiefs/leaders, religious group leaders, women leaders) and affected households.

◀️Conducted detailed case investigation, collected samples for definitive diagnosis.

◀️Recruited and trained volunteers for Active Case Search in the settlement.

◀️Health education to community members on health-seeking behaviour (to go to a health facility for treatment in the event of feeling unwell).

◀️Carried out Active Case searches at the catchment health facility and randomly in the community.

◀️Community sensitization on preventive measures.

◀️Demonstrated and built capacity of Surveillance and Risk Communication personnel (ACS team) on water purification methods.

◀️Water samples were collected from common well sources and cisterns already used for drinking by the affected households for physio-chemical and biological analysis.

Case management

◀️Suspected cases were managed at General Hospital, Ngo and the team interacted with the doctors who were available at the time of the visit.

◀️Review of the cholera case management protocol for common understanding.

◀️@MoHRiversState supported the facility with Medical Consumables, IEC materials, IPC commodities etc.

Cholera

◀️Cholera is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease which causes severe diarrhoea and can be life threatening due to the severe dehydration that can ensue. It often arises following the ingestion of contaminated water in places with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene.

◀️Symptoms include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and collapse in some cases.

◀️Treatment includes rapid correction of the massive fluid loss through oral rehydration solution (ORS), or intravenously by medical personnel in hospitals in severe cases.

Preventive measures include:

◀️Ensuring safety of water for drinking and cooking by boiling, chlorinating, or using bottled water. Avoid ingesting water from untreated sources.

◀️Proper sanitary measures such as safe disposal of faeces, and avoidance of open defecation.

◀️Good hygiene measures such as regular handwashing with soap and clean water, especially before preparing food, eating, and after using the toilet.

◀️Relevant information is available from the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and accredited local facilities for guidance, and updates on prevention, treatment, and management.

◀️Suspected cases can be reported for necessary follow-up via direct lines of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) 08124124792 and the State Epidemiologist 08033124314.

@MOHRiversState therefore reiterates that our situation is currently NOT ACTIVE, but we are in a heightened surveillance.

We will continue to keep the public informed as we monitor the ongoing situation, as the administration of His Excellency Sir @SimFubaraKSC is deeply committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all citizens and residents of Rivers State.

We therefore encourage everyone to prioritize the preventive measures, and report any suspected cases promptly, as these will be crucial to protecting the public from infection and safeguarding our communities.

Thank you and God bless you.”

Dr @Adaeze_Oreh, Honourable Commissioner for Health in Rivers State.

#StopTheSpread
#CholeraPrevention
#Health4AllRivers