‘Metastatic seed’ of cholera in Edo State, Nigeria: a case report

Abstract

There were reported cholera epidemics in some States in Nigeria. Cholera is an acute diarrhea disease with marked epidemic propensity, caused by colonization of the small intestine by Vibrio cholerae serogroup 01 or 0139. Cholera, like other infectious diseases epidemics, has propensity for sending metastatic seed to any susceptible remote community. If the metastatic seed can be promptly diagnosed and managed appropriately, the spread and development of new epicenter can be aborted. This report is a case of metastatic cholera who presented in a tertiary hospital in Edo State, Nigeria. The case was promptly detected and effectively managed using good surveillance system, inter-departmental collaboration, swift responses, good laboratory practices, patient isolation and infection prevention and control measures, coupled with appropriate fluid and antimicrobial treatments. This prevented cholera epidemic in the hospital and Edo State in general.