The Zamfara government has declared the recent cholera outbreak across the state’s 14 local government areas successfully contained, with no active cases reported.
The review meeting on the response was attended by major health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, AFENET, Solidarity Support, IRC, Red Cross, and Médecins Sans Frontières, alongside relevant government ministries and agencies. The session reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening public health systems and improving the overall quality of life for residents.
Health Commissioner, Nafisa Maradun, announced the development during an After Action Review meeting at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Gusau, describing the achievement as evidence of the administration’s commitment to transparent, accountable, and people-centered governance.
According to Maradun, the outbreak affected 15,464 people, with 15,265 successfully treated and discharged, while 192 deaths were recorded across the state. She highlighted the development of a comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness Plan to address future public health threats, including cholera, diarrhoea, cerebrospinal meningitis, and heavy metal contamination. Appreciation letters were issued to all partners for their contributions.
WHO Coordinator in Zamfara, Raji Mukhtar, emphasized the importance of timely planning, proper coordination through the Incident Management System (IMS), and accurate data reporting. He noted that early challenges in Zurmi and Anka had fueled public anxiety, but the unified command structure and harmonized partner support ensured an effective response.
Mukhtar also called for stronger local-level surveillance through Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers for early detection of outbreaks.
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