The Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC)Professor Muhammad Abbas has disclosed that the state has recorded six laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera as health authorities intensify disease surveillance.
He said the KNCDC had so far received 227 suspected cholera cases, out of which 15 met the criteria for sample collection.
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According to him, seven of the samples tested positive through Rapid Diagnostic Testing, while six were subsequently confirmed through laboratory analysis.
Abbas urged residents to maintain proper hygiene and seek immediate medical attention whenever they develop symptoms associated with cholera and other epidemic-prone diseases.
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The DG 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.
He 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.
Abbas further disclosed that the centre was monitoring reported cases of diphtheria in other local government areas, including Kiru.
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The DG said more than 27 local government areas had recorded diphtheria cases, although the situation was generally under control.
He stressed that timely reporting of suspected cases remained critical to effective disease surveillance, early intervention and the prevention of further deaths.