With more than twenty-nine thousand reported cases and three hundred and forty-eight deaths recorded in 2021, Bauchi state government says it will show proactivity in 2022.
The Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohamed said the agency has drawn a preparedness plan for the outbreaks of cholera, meningitis and Lassa fever at both the state and local government levels, to mitigate the possible outbreak of the diseases in the state.
Also Read: Police investigate violence in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa LGAs of Bauchi State
According to a report by a non-governmental organization, drinking contaminated water, open defecation and illegal dumpings of refuse were responsible for the cases pf the diseases recorded in the state.
According to the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, cholera killed about three thousand, four hundred and eighty people across 19 local governments, with Bauchi and Toro Local Governments having the highest numbers.
He added that this year, early preparation has begun, as directed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, targeted to curb cholera outbreaks and other diseases.
Bogoro Local Government is the only local government that was declared cholera-free in 2021.
In Bauchi State, 20% of households rely on unimproved water sources, accessible within their premises, for their domestic use.
Also responsible are poor environmental sanitation, poor personal and food hygiene and above all, open defecation.