The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian government have launched the first round of a two-phased oral vaccination program against the cholera outbreak in Adamawa State.
In a statement released on June 10, the WHO said the campaign will run from June to June 17, targeting high-risk wards in the Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha local government areas of Adamawa.
The vaccination program is meant to control and mitigate the impacts of the ongoing Adamawa cholera outbreak which has killed 25 people and affected over 1 500 since the outbreak was confirmed on May 12.
The WHO said 378 800 doses of OCV have been delivered to Nigeria. Vaccines for the second phase of the vaccination programme will be released upon successful completion of the first phase.
Adamawa State Commissioner of Health Fatima Abubakar, said swift emergency responses initiatives that include active house-to-house case search, case management and WASH activities being implemented to control the outbreak.
“Although more than 1,500 cases have been reported including 25 deaths, transmission is now limited to few areas of the affected LGAs. An oral cholera vaccination campaign at this point will help to stem the tide of transmission in the remaining hot spots,” Abubakar said.
WHO Country Representative to Nigeria Wondi Alemu said although new cases are still being reported the ongoing vaccination campaign will reduce cholera transmission in the remaining areas of Maiha, Mubi North and Mubi South LGAs.