UNICEF Urges Early Reporting of Disease Outbreaks in Niger

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on traditional and community leaders in Niger State to promptly report suspected public health emergencies to relevant authorities. This initiative aims to strengthen disease prevention, control, and outbreak response.

UNICEF warned that Niger State is at risk of a polio outbreak due to increasing cases in neighboring states, highlighting the need for intensified routine immunization and surveillance. Adamu Mamba, the UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change State Facilitator, made this call during a two-day training on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Case Management during Disease Outbreaks held in Minna.

He urged community leaders to promote healthy practices and support vaccination campaigns. Dr. Ali Wada Aliyu, representing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), stated that the agency is collaborating with the Niger State Government to enhance disease surveillance and outbreak containment.

The NCDC has begun training Infection Prevention and Control focal persons across health facilities to improve preparedness and response in line with national guidelines.