The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has activated its Cholera Emergency Operations Centre through the Public Health Department to enhance surveillance and preparedness for the ongoing cholera outbreak.
This announcement was made in a statement on Thursday. During the activation over the weekend, Dr. Baba Gana Adam, the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, stressed the need for this measure given the rising number of cholera cases nationwide. He noted that, as an emerging city, the FCT is particularly vulnerable to cholera and is taking proactive steps to prevent and control any potential outbreak.
The Permanent Secretary assured that the Secretariat would allocate necessary resources to combat the disease and directed the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in developing effective prevention strategies.
In line with this directive, the FCT Public Health Department convened a Cholera Update meeting with key stakeholders to assess the current situation, identify high-risk areas, and clarify the roles and responsibilities of each participant in managing the outbreak.
During the meeting, Dan Gadzama, Acting Director of the FCT Public Health Department, reported that the FCT has seen approximately 32 suspected cases, including three laboratory-confirmed and eight rapid diagnostic test-confirmed cases. This spurred the activation of the Cholera Emergency Operations Centre to prevent further spread.
Gadzama highlighted that several preparedness measures were already in place, including identifying high-risk areas (now on red alert), conducting public education campaigns, training healthcare workers, and forming a Cholera Incident Management team with relevant stakeholders.
He explained that cholera is caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which spreads through contaminated food, water, and feces. He emphasized the need to address environmental factors in controlling the disease and noted the active role of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board in these efforts.
Dr. Lawal Ademola, the FCT State Epidemiologist, remarked that cholera is often linked to a lack of safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor food hygiene, stating that tackling these issues could significantly mitigate the risk of outbreaks. He added that government, individuals, and communities all play crucial roles in implementing preventive measures.
With two cases confirmed in the FCT, Dr. Ademola stated that the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre is now in response mode, continuing public awareness campaigns focused on prevention, early detection, and reporting of cholera and other diseases, including Mpox.
Key stakeholders in managing the cholera response in the FCT include the World Health Organization, the FCT Primary Health Care Board, the FCT Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, and the Water Sanitation and Hygiene sector.
As of October 13, 2024, there have been a total of 14,237 cholera cases reported across 35 states and the FCT, affecting 339 local government areas, with 378 fatalities, resulting in a case-fatality ratio of approximately 2.7%.
