Victoria Mgbanwa
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned Nigerians of the increasing cholera cases across the country, with 30 deaths, 1,141 suspected cases, and 65 confirmed cases reported.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Jide Idris, explained this during a public advisory, the states that had contributed to the increase in cholera which are Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States.
The Director said, “An outbreak in Lagos State has recently been reported. From the 1st of January to the 11th of June 2024, a total of 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera with 30 deaths have been reported from 96 LGAs in 30 states.
“The multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group, led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (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.
“This support includes risk communication, active case search, laboratory diagnosis, case management, provision of response commodities, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and dissemination of cholera awareness jingles in both English and local languages.”
“Contamination of drinking water can occur at the source, during transportation, or during storage at home. Food may be contaminated by soiled hands, either during preparation or while eating.
“Beverages prepared with contaminated water and sold by street vendors, ice, and even commercial bottled water have been implicated as vehicles of transmission, as have cooked vegetables and fruits freshened with untreated wastewater.”
The Director further urged citizens to practice good personal hand hygiene by washing thier hands frequently with soap under clean running water.
“Health workers should always practice standard safety precautions, by wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient/relative, intensify surveillance efforts to promptly report suspected cholera cases.
“NCDC continues to advocate to State Governments to prioritize action for solutions that ensure access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices in communities.” he added.
