Borno government activates epidemic control measures as cholera rages on

The Borno State government has instructed all schools across the state to immediately activate epidemic prevention and control measures following a confirmed cholera outbreak in Maiduguri and its surrounding areas.

BusinessDay had earlier reported that at least 39 people have been confirmed dead, with 4,204 cases of cholera recorded across seven council areas of Borno State, officials stated.

In a statement issued by Lawan Abba Wakilbe, the state Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, to journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Wakilbe described the outbreak as a high-priority public health emergency that necessitates urgent and coordinated action from all educational institutions.

Read also: Cholera outbreak claims 37 lives, 3,000 cases in Borno 

He pointed out that cholera spreads rapidly through contaminated food and water, especially in crowded environments like schools, emphasising the need for increased vigilance to protect students, teachers, and other staff.

“Following the confirmed cholera alert in Maiduguri and surrounding communities, all schools must immediately activate their Epidemic Prevention and Control Plans in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our utmost priority,” Engr. stated.

The Commissioner also directed schools to enhance Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices by ensuring regular handwashing with soap and clean water, providing multiple handwashing stations, ensuring access to safe drinking water, and prohibiting unpackaged water and food from unapproved vendors within school premises.

Schools were also instructed to enforce strict food safety standards, carry out daily environmental sanitation activities, and ensure proper waste disposal and drainage maintenance to prevent contamination.

Read also: Borno cholera death toll rises to 39 as 4,204 cases reported

The Commissioner additionally ordered schools to intensify surveillance and promptly report any suspected cholera cases to health authorities.

“All school administrators, principals and head teachers are required to ensure that any student or staff member showing symptoms such as severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting or rapid dehydration is immediately isolated and referred for medical attention. Suspected cases must be reported within two hours to the nearest Primary Health Care Centre, the Local Government Disease Surveillance Officer and the Ministry,” he said.

As a preventive measure, schools have been directed to organise emergency awareness campaigns, including assemblies and classroom discussions, to educate students on cholera prevention and personal hygiene practices.

He warned that compliance with the directive would be closely monitored through routine and unannounced inspections across schools in the state.

“This is not a routine directive. Compliance is mandatory and will be monitored through unannounced inspection visits. Any act of negligence or failure to implement these measures will be treated seriously. We must work together to protect our children and prevent the spread of cholera in our schools and communities,” the Commissioner stressed.

Wakilbe called on all stakeholders in the education sector to cooperate fully with health authorities and school management in implementing preventive measures to preserve public health.