USA Africa Dialogue Series - Cholera kills 1,555 in Nigeria, says U.N. | Join the Diaspora potential donors needed to help

Cholera kills 1,555 in Nigeria, says U.N. By the CNN Wire Staff      Http://www.CNN.com/2010/WORLD/Africa/10/26/Nigeria.cholera/index.HTML?hpt=T1 October 26, 2010 12:37 p.m. EDT Nigeria has suffered its worst cholera outbreak in recent years. Other African countries such as Sudan, pictured, also suffer. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Nigeria is in the midst of its worst cholera outbreak in years At least 1,555 people have died, the United Nations says Cholera has also claimed lives in neighboring Cameroon RELATED TOPICS Nigeria Cholera Lagos, Nigeria (CNN) -- A cholera outbreak in Nigeria has killed more than 1,500 people, the United Nations said Tuesday. It is the worst cholera outbreak in Nigeria in recent years. The number of cases is three times higher than last year and seven times higher than in 2008, the United Nations Children's Fund said. The outbreak has led to 40,000 cases in Nigeria and resulted in 1,555 deaths, UNICEF said. Women and children account for four of every five cases, the agency said. The disease's spread seems to have been largely contained in Nigeria, where new cases are still being reported in parts of the country, particularly the northeast, the United Nations said. Cholera: What causes it and how it spreads? Several hundred deaths also have been reported in Cameroon, which borders Nigeria. "There's a lot of people crossing over the border all the time," Dr. Eric Mintz of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said. "So it's not surprising that cholera is also crossing over the border." Mintz is leader of the global water sanitation and hygiene epidemiology team for the Atlanta-based CDC. Cholera is caused by a bacterial infection of the intestine and, in severe cases, is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps, according to the CDC. In such cases, rapid loss of body fluids can lead to dehydration and shock. "Without treatment, death can occur within hours," the agency has said. A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacteria. During epidemics, the source of the contamination is often the feces of an infected person, and infections can spread rapidly in areas where there is poor sewage treatment and a lack of clean drinking water. The disease kills about 120,000 people a year, according to the World Health Organization. Two-thirds of rural Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, and fewer than 40 percent of people in affected areas have access "to toilet facilities of any description," the Nigerian Health Ministry said in August.   Contact: Email: Info.ngdf@gmail.com Website: http://www.nigeriangdf.com     NIGERIAN GLOBAL DIASPORA FORUM Press Release                                    NIGERIAN DIASPORA CHOLERA RELIEF INITIATIVE Humanitarian intervention took a new dimension in Nigeria on Saturday 23 October when a batch of medical aid, comprising antibiotics and other items touched down at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja. Designated for victims of cholera outbreak in Nigeria under the Nigerian Diaspora Cholera Relief Initiative, the sponsors have put together a unique cross-sectoral network of partners including Nigerian Red Cross, represented by Dr Ogba and Dr Abenogowe, a medical expert at the National Hospital Abuja, as partners on the ground.    "This initiative should go beyond its symbolical relevance" stated a relieved and visibly happy Richard Soyombo as he scaled through NAFDAC clearance upon arrival in Abuja from the USA with the medications. "It is our intentions to touch lives with this mission, albeit in little ways, while sending a loud message out there – and that is the symbolism of this whole affair – that the change that Nigeria desires has to come from Nigerians themselves; be it here at home and in the Diaspora. In the past, Nigerians have seen medical relief initiatives being organized on their behalf by others. It's time for us to be part of the solutions" the co-convener of the Nigerian Global Diaspora Forum (NGDF) enthused.   NGDF, sponsors of the initiative, in collaboration with numerous Nigerian professional, community and cultural organisations, as well as individuals in the Diaspora, identified Yobe, Bauchi and River States as the three most affected States and therefore most deserving of the relief medications. It however resolved to leave final decisions of the beneficiary States in the able hands of Nigerian Red Cross as they understand the local realities better.   It is noteworthy that Nigerian Pharmacists Association of Tampa, Florida has made the donation of antibiotics for the mission possible.   NGDF calls on  Nigerians, at home  and  abroad  to join hands to eradicate one of the most deadly epidemic diseases  of modern times  in Nigeria. The Nigerian Diaspora Cholera Relief Initiative   expresses gratitude to individuals, groups and corporate entities that have donated generously towards this cause.  It also uses this medium to call on a million other Nigerians, Africans, and the rest of the world, to join forces in any capacity, through cash donations and volunteering medical personnel, towards this initiative.   For additional information on how to participate, please contact the following and/or visit www.nigeriangdf.com:        Ms. Jumoke Akin-Taylor JumokeTaylor@hotmail.com Dr. Lawal Garba lawal.garba@gmail.com Collins  Nweke Nweke.Collins@telenet.be Michael   Adeniyi mgadeniyi@aol.com                                                  Dr. Akin Awofolaju Coordinator, Communication Committee