Two inmates have died from cholera at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano following an outbreak that was confirmed by health authorities, the Nigerian Correctional Service said on Saturday.
The Service said the outbreak was confirmed through laboratory tests conducted on September 23 by its medical team in collaboration with Kano State public health authorities.
The outbreak was first detected on September 17 after an inmate developed vomiting and diarrhoea, prompting the activation of emergency medical measures at the facility.
According to the NCoS spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, the affected inmate was immediately admitted to the facility’s medical centre for treatment.
“The inmate was immediately admitted and treated at the facility’s medical centre, while emergency medical protocols were activated the following morning as health workers intensified medical intervention and monitoring,” Osuji said.
The Service later recorded two deaths linked to the outbreak, with one occurring at the custodial centre and the other at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital.
“The Service regrets that the outbreak claimed two lives; one at the facility and the other at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital,” the statement said.
However, the NCoS said the situation had been brought under control following coordinated medical interventions, adding that no further deaths had been recorded since the outbreak was diagnosed.
The development has also prompted increased disease surveillance and preventive measures at the custodial centre as authorities seek to prevent further transmission among inmates and correctional personnel.
The Service said it was working with the Kano State Government to strengthen preventive measures and reduce the risk of another outbreak at the facility.
It added that its medical teams were intensifying surveillance, early detection and prompt treatment of suspected cases across custodial facilities.
The Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased inmates and directed officials to sustain measures aimed at protecting inmates and personnel.
Nwakuche also ordered a team of senior medical personnel from the NCoS National Headquarters to proceed to the facility for further monitoring and assessment of the situation.
“The Controller-General has further directed a team of senior medical personnel from the Service National Headquarters to proceed to the facility for sustained monitoring of the situation,” the statement added.
The Service said healthcare services remained available to inmates through qualified medical personnel, while assuring the public that measures were being sustained to contain the outbreak.
It also urged Nigerians to avoid relying on unverified reports concerning the situation and instead obtain information through official channels.
Cholera, a potentially fatal disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, can spread quickly in environments where access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is limited. Rapid detection, treatment and infection-control measures are therefore critical during outbreaks.
West Trybe reports that the deaths at Kurmawa custodial centre highlight the need for sustained public-health surveillance and rapid response in densely populated institutions, particularly custodial facilities where infectious diseases can spread quickly among inmates and staff.
