15th June 2024, NewsOrient
News, Health

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has advised the public on how to react over the increasing trend of cholera cases across the country.

Already, a total of 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera with 30 deaths have been reported from 96 Local Government Areas in 30 states of Nigeria.

The latest statement by the centre said “10 states that contributed 90% to the burden of cholera include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos.”

“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, the statement said.

NCDC therefore advises the public, to ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking.

Other advice includes 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.”

On the right environment, NCDC said: “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.”

On treatment, NCDC said: “If you or anyone you know experience sudden watery diarrhoea, please do not self-medicate, visit a healthcare facility immediately.”

Cholera is a food and water-borne disease, caused by the ingestion of the organism Vibrio Cholerae in contaminated water and food.

Photo Source: Vanguard

~ NewsOrient