Cholera Outbreak: Be More Vigilant, Imbibe Good Sanitation, FG Urges Nigerians

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Federal Government has called on all Nigerians to be more vigilant, imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplace and take preventive measures to combat the spread of cholera.

The call was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister of  State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who lamented
that the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nigeria as part of the global resurgence of cases of cholera, classifying it as ‘Grade 3 public health emergency’, requiring maximal WHO system wide response.

Nigeria has been identified as one of the 14 countries in Africa where the resurgence is being experienced.

The minister said: “The Federal Ministry of Environment is deeply concerned about the ongoing cholera outbreak in some states of Nigeria which has tragically claimed many lives and affected many communities.

“Recent situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicated a total number of 1,159 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 30 states. The states most affected, contributing 90% of the total cases includes, Bayelsa, Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta and Katsina.

“To prevent the spread of cholera, we urge all Nigerians to be more vigilant, imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplace and take preventive measures such as: keeping their environment clean always and disposing of waste properly at designated places.

“Ensuring the use of clean and safe water. Water from suspicious sources should be well boiled or treated by adding one part of chlorine solution to 100 parts of water.

“Avoid locally prepared drinks like kunu, sobo, fura da nono, koko, fruit juice etc except it is certain that the preparation was done in an hygienic and safe manner.

“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.

“Cook foodstuff well, 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.

“Anybody experiencing any of the symptoms of cholera is advised to seek medical attention immediately.”

The minister urged all commissioners of environment and local government chairmen to support environmental health officers across the country to step up their sanitation and hygiene activities through enhanced community-led total sanitation in order to break further transmission and spread of the disease.  

Salako also urged the scale-up of awareness campaigns focusing especially on places where prepared food and drinks are sold like markets, garages, schools, restaurants, stadia, religious, and sporting events, adding that sub-national governments are urged to strengthen environmental health surveillance in eating premises like “mama put”, cafeterias, restaurants and mobile food vendors.

He assured the general public that the Federal Ministry of Environment remained committed to ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all Nigerians, as this is the only way the Federal Government could prevent and curtail the incidence of cholera outbreaks and other sanitation related diseases.

According to him, “Cholera is preventable, and prevention remains better and cheaper than cure,” urging all Nigerians to take these preventive measures seriously and more importantly, keep their environment clean.

He extended the government’s condolence to families who have lost loved ones and stand in solidarity with all those affected by the outbreak.