Some health experts in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States have called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to the preventive measures to avoid cholera outbreaks in the country.
The health practitioners made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to the current outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi, said that residents needed to stay informed and take preventive measures to protect themselves and their communities.
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According to him, the disease affected approximately 30 states in Nigeria including states surrounding Enugu State.
He said: “Therefore, you must remain vigilant and take precautions that include boiling or treating drinking water to ensure its safety and washing hands frequently with soap and clean running water.
“Avoid consuming raw or undercooked food, cook food thoroughly, avoid street food or food from unhygienic sources.”
Similarly, Mrs Anthonia Onyia, the Head of Department, Environmental Health, Enugu Ministry of Health, said that the department had increased its sensitisation against open defecation and disposal of waste on drainages.
While urging them to desist from those act that could endanger their environment and health, Onyia said: “prevention is better than cure” through environmental sanitation.
“We should stop open defecation and disposal of waste in drainages.
“When you defecate openly, rain will flush it into the water bodies and people especially those in rural communities will use it to wash bitter leaf, make pap and drink it.
“By so doing, they will contract cholera and other infectious diseases. To avert it, we must keep our environment clean and maintain adequate hygiene in our environment,” she advised.
The Chief Medical Director, Nsukka General Hospital, Dr Boniface Okolo, says there is no case of cholera in the state.
Okolo, who is the former director, Public health in the state Ministry of Health, noted that the state ministry of Health had started sensitizing the public on health education about the disease.
He urged the residents to practice good hygiene by keeping their environment clean and always wash their hands with clean water.
The Ebonyi Government, in its contributions, says it has rolled preventive measures to check the current cholera outbreak across the country in spite of its present no confirmed case.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, told NAN in Abakaliki, that the state currently had 38 suspected cases with no confirmed case.
Ekuma said that the ministry in collaboration with relevant agencies were closely monitoring the situation and had taken proactive steps to forestall any outbreak in the state.
“We have inaugurated a technical working group on the issue while increasing the training and re-training of health personnel for emergency responses.
“We have increased our enlightenment campaign on the citizens to take precautionary measures while our health facilities are on alert to handle emerging situations.
“The citizens have been enlightened to wash their hands always before eating, avoid drinking contaminated water, cover their foods properly among other measures,” he said.
The commissioner noted that emphasis was being placed on open defecation which the citizens must avoid presently and beyond.
“We are working in synergy with sister ministries of water resources, environment among others, to ensure that adequate water is supplied to the citizens and the environment kept clean.
“The residents should not panic but ensure they engage in safe health practices and be vigilant within their environment,” he said.
He urged the people to report suspected cases to nearby health facilities and not engage in self medication.
A medical practitioner in Abakaliki, Dr Grace Agbo, commended the state government for revitalising the state’s water scheme to ensure adequate water supply in the state.
“We are pleased to see water flowingly in most parts of Abakalikii as this will reduce the chances of contacting cholera through unclean water.
“We advocate that such measures be extended to the rural areas where people contend with problems of adequate water supply.
“We however, advise the public to practice safe healthy practices to prevent communicable diseases such as cholera,” she said.
In Anambra, the State Government said there were no cases of Cholera yet in the state.
Dr Afam Obidike, State’s Commissioner for Health said that the Ministry already activated Emergency Response Team across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Obidike said the proactive measures and heightened vigilance in the state followed reported confirmed cases of cholera in neighbouring states.
“Although Anambra has not yet reported any case of cholera but we have activated the state’s Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the 21 LGAs in response to cholera outbreak in Nigeria.
“Emergency response teams are also actively conducting surveillance in communities in the 21 LGAs to promptly identify and contain any potential cases.
“We have commenced public education campaigns to raise awareness about cholera and emphasise on preventive measures within homes and communities.
“The media were engaged to disseminate crucial information and educate the public about the signs, symptoms, and preventive strategies for cholera,” he said.
The commissioner described cholera as an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae.
According to him, the bacterium poses significant health risks due to its potential to cause severe dehydration, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death, if left untreated.
Obidike said that the transmission of cholera was primarily through the consumption of contaminated food or water.
He urged residents to imbibe clean, hygienic and safe health practices and be vigilant within their environment.
“As of January 2024, Nigeria has been grappling with a significant cholera burden, with 1,528 suspected cases and 53 reported deaths across 31 states and 107 LGAs.
“So, the collaborative efforts of health authorities, emergency response teams, and community members are crucial in containing the spread of cholera and mitigating its impact on public health,” he said.
Also speaking to NAN, Dr Chuma Emembolu, the state’s Epidemiologist, said the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre had since been placed on alert mode due to recent confirmed cases in neighbouring states.
