By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Kano state government has stepped up measures to fight recent wave of cholera outbreak as officials have already confirmed cases of cholera through laboratory tests, also hinting that 27 out of the 44 Local Government Areas of the state have been heat by diphtheria.

The Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Abbas has tasked health authorities to intensify disease surveillance.

According to him, the KNCDC has so far, received 227 suspected cholera cases, out of which 15 met the criteria for sample collection.

He said, seven of the samples tested positive through Rapid Diagnostic Testing, while six were subsequently confirmed through laboratory analysis.

Abbas further urged residents to maintain proper hygiene and seek immediate medical attention whenever they develop symptoms associated with cholera and other epidemic-prone diseases.

He disclosed that the KNCDC currently has 126 Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers deployed across the state, supported by ward focal persons, community informants and other surveillance structures.

Abbas also acknowledged the contributions of traditional institutions to disease surveillance, particularly, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, who he said had directed traditional leaders across the emirate to collaborate with health authorities and promptly report suspected disease cases.

He further disclosed that the centre was monitoring reported cases of diphtheria in other local government areas, including Kiru.

The Director General further revealed that more than 27 Local Government Areas had recorded diphtheria cases, although the situation was generally under control.

According to him, timely reporting of suspected cases remained critical to effective disease surveillance, early intervention and the prevention of further deaths.