Cholera Epidemic : 96 LGAs Report 1,141 Cases, 30 Fatalities
Drinks made with polluted water and sold by street vendors, ice, and even commercial bottled water, have been implicated as sources of transmission.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned the public about the rising incidence of cholera cases across the nationwide, with a total of 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera resulting in 30 deaths, reported from 96 LGAs in 30 states.
A statement issued by the centre on Wednesday, said 10 states that contributed 90% to the burden of cholera include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos States.
According to the statement, the multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group, led by the NCDC and comprising the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners, has been providing support to the affected states.
It advised the public, to ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking.
Additional guidance comprises practising good personal hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap under clean running water, using alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and clean water are not available, ensuring that food is well cooked before consumption, only consuming raw food such as fruits and vegetables, after washing thoroughly with safe water.
“After cooking food or boiling water, protect against contamination by flies and unsanitary handling; leftover foods should be thoroughly reheated before ingestion. Persons with diarrhoea should not prepare or serve food or haul water for others.
“Avoid open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping, ensure proper disposal of waste and frequent clearing of sewage.
“If you or anyone you know experience sudden watery diarrhoea, please do not self-medicate, visit a healthcare facility immediately,” the centre advised the public.
