A cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State, Nigeria, has resulted in the deaths of two inmates. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed the outbreak through laboratory tests on September 23 by its medical team and Kano State public health authorities. The outbreak was first detected on September 17 after an inmate developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
According to the NCoS, the inmate who first showed symptoms was immediately admitted and treated at the facility's medical centre. Emergency medical protocols were activated the following morning, and health workers intensified medical intervention and monitoring. The Service's spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, JN Osuji, released a statement providing details about the outbreak and the measures being taken to control it.
The NCoS reported that one of the deaths occurred at the custodial centre, while the other was recorded at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital. The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed that measures to protect inmates and personnel be sustained. The Service regrets that the outbreak claimed two lives.
The NCoS stated that its coordinated interventions had brought the outbreak under control, with no further deaths recorded since the diagnosis. Additional preventive measures have been introduced in collaboration with the Kano State Government to reduce the risk of another outbreak. The service is strengthening continuous disease surveillance, early detection, and prompt medical intervention across custodial facilities.
Nwakuche directed a team of senior medical personnel from the Service's National Headquarters to proceed to the facility for sustained monitoring of the situation. This move aims to ensure that the situation remains under control and that the risk of further outbreaks is minimized. The team will work closely with the facility's medical staff to monitor the health of inmates and personnel.
The NCoS reassured the public that healthcare services remain available to inmates through qualified medical personnel. The Service urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from official channels. The public is advised to be aware of the situation and to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of cholera and other diseases.
The Nigerian Correctional Service is taking steps to prevent future outbreaks, including strengthening its healthcare services and collaborating with state governments. The Service is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for inmates and personnel. The incident highlights the importance of disease surveillance and prevention in custodial facilities.
Key points
- Two inmates died from a cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State, Nigeria.
- The Nigerian Correctional Service has brought the outbreak under control and introduced preventive measures to reduce the risk of another outbreak.
- The Service is strengthening disease surveillance, early detection, and prompt medical intervention across custodial facilities.
