As part of global response to the flood disaster in Borno state, northeast of Nigeria, the UNICEF on behalf partners has donated 600,000 doses of cholera vaccines.
The action aims at containing the outbreak of the disease.
Borno state has reported 451 suspected cholera cases following the flood that affected over one million people, and caused the deaths of hundreds, while dozens still missing in Maiduguri, the state capital.
As of October 4, 128 cases tested positive after a rapid diagnostic process.
The 600,000 medical packs are additional doses of cholera vaccine.
Speaking during the occasion on Tuesday, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Rownak Khan said the vaccine and other medical items were part of a global response to halt the spread of cholera, a waterborne disease which hit the state weeks after massive flooding damaged sanitary facilities and water supply.
“This oral cholera vaccine was a joint effort between the government and the partners. UNICEF is one of the partners. We also have other partners who also put a lot of effort to bring the cholera vaccine to Nigeria,” Khan told Anadolu in the state capital Maiduguri after handing over the items to the government.
The donation also included acute water diarrhea kits and hospital beds worth $69,000, she added.
Last month, UNICEF delivered the first 300,000 doses of cholera vaccine to the state, starting massive vaccination in the area.
Abubakar Hassan, special adviser to the Borno State governor on Health, said the state is yet to record any cholera-related deaths days after the outbreak of the disease was reported.
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