Health

At least seven people have died following a Cholera outbreak at the New Artisan Market in Enugu State, the State Ministry of Health said. Also, nineteen others who were infected have been evacuated to the State Teaching Hospital, ESUT-Parklane for treatment. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu Obi confirmed this in a statement on Friday, saying the ministry has commenced contact-tracing, surveillance, and risk assessment at the market and its environs, noting that an Emergency operations centre for the outbreak has been activated to curb further spread of the outbreak.

The Oyo State Coronavirus Taskforce has recorded the Delta variant of the virus in the state, days after the first case was discovered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde made the disclosure in a statement, urging residents to intensify COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.

A new polio variant, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) has breakout in several communities within the country one year after the country was certified polio-free. It was reported that the cVDPV is contracted as a result of many factors, including refusing to take the shots or not completing polio vaccines.

It has been reported that Nigeria has utilised over 3.4 million doses of Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for both the 1st and 2nd vaccination rounds and this has amounted to approximately 88 per cent of the total COVID-19 vaccine stock in the country. The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib during a national briefing of the COVID-19 Presidential Steering Committee on Monday further disclosed that “a total of 4,024,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine were received by the Federal Government of Nigeria in March 2021".

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a Drug Abuse International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989. While observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, says the world’s drug problem remains an urgent challenge that threatens to exacerbate COVID-19 pandemic impacts and hinder a healthy and inclusive recovery.

The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says facilities will be established in South Africa, Senegal, and Rwanda, with Nigeria also being considered, to create hubs for the production of COVID-19 vaccines. Africa is working with the European Union and other partners to make the above a reality. Okonjo-Iweala, who revealed this during a virtual meeting on Monday said this will help build equitable access.