The Federal Ministry of Environment has vowed to support states most affected by the cholera outbreak with chlorine solution/tablets, water and food testing resources, materials, and technical advisory.
The States most affected, contributing 90% of the total cases, are Bayelsa, Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta, and Katsina.
Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako in a statement said the Ministry through the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, and the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria had been actively involved in checking further transmission of the deadly disease.
“The Measures include testing water and food to identify sources of infection, environmental sanitation campaigns, and household water chlorination.
“Efforts were to sensitize the general public on cholera preventive and control measures to avert further spread and strengthen collaboration with the health authorities and other stakeholders in line with the one health approach of the Federal Government,” the statement said.
The Minister said other preventive measures include ensuring the use of clean and safe water, adding that Water from suspicious sources should be well boiled or treated by adding one part of chlorine solution to 100 parts of water.
He urged the citizens to be more vigilant, and imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplace including disposing of waste properly at designated places.
The statement further said “Avoid locally prepared drinks like Kunu, Sobo, Fura da nono, Koko, and fruit juice except it is certain that the preparation was done hygienically and safely.
“Wash hands regularly with soap under running water, especially at moments such as after using the toilet, after cleaning a child who has gone to the toilet, before preparing food, before and after eating, and after playing with animals.
“Avoid open defecation and instead use clean and safe toilets.
“Others are Cooking foodstuff properly, keeping food covered, and eating it hot. Eating in public places including at parties should be done with utmost care.
“Wash fruits and vegetables with clean and safe water before eating”.
The Minister advised that anyone experiencing any of the symptoms of cholera should seek medical attention immediately.
The World Health Organization WHO has confirmed the global resurgence of cases of cholera classifying the current outbreak as a “grade 3 public health emergency”, requiring maximal WHO system-wide, response.
Nigeria is one of the 14 countries in Africa where the resurgence is being experienced.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC in its recent report indicated a total number of 1,159 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 30 States.
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