Cholera outbreak in Nigeria claims 74 lives, over 7,000 people infected
Kyiv • UNN
In Borno State, 74 people have died from cholera, and more than 7,000 have fallen ill. The spread of the disease is exacerbated by a lack of clean water and the consequences of prolonged conflicts.
In Borno State in northeastern Nigeria, 74 people have died from a cholera outbreak since the beginning of May, and the number of infected has exceeded 7,000. This was reported by the international medical organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF), as cited by the Associated Press, reports UNN.
Details
The outbreak has spread to 14 of the state's 27 local government areas. Medics note that the situation is complicated by the consequences of the long-standing conflict with the Islamist group Boko Haram, which has left the region's healthcare system weakened. Additional risk factors include a lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitary conditions.
The situation is worsening
According to MSF, 7,439 patients with cholera have already been treated in its medical facilities. On average, about 185 people are hospitalized daily, and last Friday, a record 500 new patients were recorded in a single day.
Open defecation is also worsening the situation, and there are fewer partners on the ground
According to her, in many cases, medics only learn about an outbreak after the disease has already begun to spread actively within the community.
Local residents report that symptoms of the disease often return even after treatment. One patient, Aisha Ibrahim, reported that after being discharged, her condition deteriorated sharply again, forcing her to be re-hospitalized.