Adamawa Government has vaccinated no fewer than 199, 371 persons against cholera in affected wards of Yola-North Local Government Area.
Mr Isaac Kadala, the Director, Public Health and Incidence Manager for Cholera, disclose this in an interview to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Monday.
He said that the exercise was conducted in eight affected wards, namely; 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 years old.
He added that cases of cholera in the state had been drastically decreased as a result of the government’s efforts and its partnership with relevant agencies in the state.
Kadala said “we recorded about 696 cases, 18 deaths, while 26 are currently on admission receiving treatment and 652 treated and discharged.
“We are calling on the public to always ensure personal, environmental and food hygiene to reduce cases.
“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 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 for continuation of the exercise in the remaining parts of the state.
He advised the beneficiaries not to take the exercise for granted, adding that the vaccine could last for years in 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)