Bayelsa State government, represented by the Ministry of Health, has disputed Bayelsa’s inclusion in the list of states affected by the cholera outbreak, as reported by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in their disease surveillance report.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Toyin Azebi, challenged the accuracy of the report during a joint press briefing following a meeting of the Bayelsa Taskforce on Immunization and Health Services chaired by the Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in Yenagoa.
In the recent Epidemiological Week 22, 2024 report, the NCDC had identified Bayelsa as one of the states with a high number of cholera cases.
Dr. Azebi clarified that there have been no confirmed cases of cholera outbreak in the state recently. The announcement by the NCDC regarding a cholera outbreak in Bayelsa was inaccurate and should not be considered valid. All 449 suspected cases of cholera in the state from January until now tested negative in clinical laboratory tests, indicating they were actually instances of gastrointestinal diarrhea.
The ministry contacted the NCDC about this matter, prompting a reevaluation of the state’s data. It was discovered that the initial report was incorrect, and the NCDC agreed to issue a correction, which had not been done by the time of the press briefing.
She stated that the NCDC report misrepresents the data from Bayelsa, and we have addressed this issue with them. After reviewing our data together, they will soon make a new statement that excludes our state from the list of places with a cholera outbreak.“Since January 2024, a total of 449 suspected cholera cases have been reported in the eight LGAs. Notably, only two new suspected cases were recorded in the latest week, suggesting no additional cases have emerged.”
Thanks to our well-structured surveillance system throughout the state, we can accurately report cases of watery diarrhea.
Extensive testing has verified cases of cholera. Among the 42 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) performed, only 14 were positive. Interestingly, all 14 positive results from the Rapid Diagnostic tests were negative when further examined through culture testing.
“Cultural tests are considered the most reliable for diagnosing cholera, and so far, no cases have been confirmed using this method. This indicates that there is no outbreak.”
“To sum up, the management of the cholera situation in Bayelsa State is currently effective, with no confirmed positive cases. The state government is taking proactive steps to address the situation comprehensively, with a focus on public health and safety.”
Discussing the discovery of a deceased whale on the shores of the coastal Okpoama community in Brass Local Government Area of the state, reportedly being butchered for food, Dr. Azebi warned the public against engaging in the behavior as it may result in a severe epidemic outbreak.
She warned that eating the deceased whale could result in mercury poisoning, botulism, and bacterial infections, posing significant health risks to individuals.
The Director of Public Health at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jones Stowe, mentioned that the state’s disease surveillance system is robust, emphasizing that all suspected cholera cases tested negative.
Dr. Stowe addressed the limited instances of yellow fever in all eight LGAs in the state, stating that the Ministry is actively preventing deaths and further transmission of the infection. He explained that individuals with presumptive positive cases are under close observation, awaiting confirmation tests from Dakar, Senegal.
