Borno government has confirmed two cases of cholera in one of the camps housing people displaced by floods in Maiduguri.

The state commissioner of health, Prof. Baba Malum Gana, made this known on Monday while launching an oral cholera, measles vaccination, and vitamin A supplementation campaign in Maiduguri.

The programme was organised by the Borno government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“With this flooding, we had four suspected cases, which were confirmed through a Rapid Diagnosis Test.

“The samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory, where two cases were confirmed as positive.

“The patients have already been discharged, and we have taken measures against cholera since the onset of the flood,” Mr Gana said.

He noted that another four suspected cases had been sent to the laboratory for confirmation.

According to him, the affected camp has undergone fumigation and disinfection.

In her remarks, UNICEF’s chief for the Maiduguri field office, Christina Valderrama, commended the leadership of the Borno state government for its swift response in mitigating the impact of the flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri.

“We recognise that Borno’s flood may trigger devastating disease outbreaks, potentially causing more harm than the flood itself.

“Therefore, we come together with a shared purpose: to safeguard the health and well-being of our communities through vital vaccination and supplementation initiatives.

“As we embark on this campaign for oral cholera vaccination, measles vaccination, and vitamin A supplementation, I will emphasise the importance of these measures in securing the future of children and promoting public health.

“Let us unite to build a shield of immunity that will prevent outbreaks and save lives,” Ms Valderrama said.

In his remarks, the executive secretary of the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Mohammed Arab, described the intervention as timely and urged people to make themselves available for the vaccination.

(NAN)