United Nations agencies arehelping Nigerian authorities to deal with a virulent diarrhea outbreakin northern Nigeria, where only a limited number of the population hasaccess to access to safe drinking water.
According to thefederal ministry of health, thousands of cases of cholera andgastroenteritis have been identified in at least five states, with afew cases also reported in at least three others.
A seniordirector of the federal ministry of health, Dr. Abdul Nasidi, saysmeasures adopted to halt the spread of the diseases are now yieldingpositive results. He says the situation has been brought under controlby local health authorities and medical teams sent to the areas.
"Weconfirmed cholera in one of the local governments in Sokoto, but theothers are being investigated. It is controlled already," said Dr.Nasidi. "The states did very well, and we dispatched our own teams fromthe federal. Everything is under control. We also worked with somepartners; WHO."
Authorities confirmed the death of more than 200people from the outbreaks in the past four weeks, making it the worstin several years.
Cholera is an intestinal bacteria that causesserious diarrhea and vomiting leading to dehydration. With a shortincubation, it can be fatal if not treated in time. Gastroenteritisshares the same characteristics.
Treating drinking water with chlorine and improving hygiene conditions can prevent the diseases.