The Adamawa government has vaccinated at least 199,371 persons against cholera in affected wards of Yola-North Local Government Area.

Isaac Kadala, the director of public health and incidence manager for cholera, disclosed this in an interview in Yola on Monday.

He said the exercise was conducted in eight affected wards: Ajiya, Alkalawa, Godobawa, Yelwa, Runde, Limawa, Jambutu, and Karewa.

The director said 680 health workers were trained for the exercise, which targeted people between the ages of one and 45.

He added that cholera cases in Adamawa had been drastically decreased due to the government’s efforts and its partnership with relevant agencies in the state.

Mr Kadala said, “We recorded about 696 cases, 18 deaths, while 26 are currently on admission receiving treatment and 652 treated and discharged.

“People should stop drinking contaminated water, shun open defecation and thoroughly wash fruits before eating.”

The director explained that the state government had taken delivery of an additional 469,374 doses of cholera vaccine to be administered to residents of Yola-South and parts of Yola-North local government areas.

He said plans were ongoing to continue the exercise in the remaining parts of the state.

Mr Kadala advised the beneficiaries not to take the exercise for granted, adding that the vaccine could last for years in the human body.

“If you received the vaccine, you should not eat or drink until after 30 minutes for it to work effectively in your body,” he advised.

(NAN)