Angela Onwuzoo
As schools resume from the mid-term break today, the Lagos State Government has advised parents to monitor the health of their children daily following the outbreak of cholera in the state.
The state government also urged them to keep their children at home and seek medical advice when they exhibit signs of cholera such as passage of frequent watery stool with or without vomiting
The government said this in a public health advisory published on Wednesday, urging all parents, guardians, and school authorities to adhere to the precautionary measures to protect children against the killer disease.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health, on Saturday, confirmed 350 suspected cases of cholera in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in the state, with 17 confirmed cases and 15 deaths.
Earlier, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said Nigeria recorded 65 confirmed cases of cholera with 30 deaths from 1 January to 11 June across 96 local governments in 30 states.
Cholera is a highly contagious food and water-borne disease.
It spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of handwashing.
Symptoms of cholera include acute, painless watery diarrhea of sudden onset, with or without vomiting. It may be associated with nausea, profuse vomiting, and fever.
According to the state government, parents should also ensure that their children maintain hand hygiene by carrying hand sanitiser to school.
It also enjoined parents to encourage them to regularly wash their hands with soap, especially before meals and after using the restroom.
The public health advisory partly read, “Ensure that all food handlers follow strict hygiene practices to prevent contamination and spread of diseases.
” Ensure that Oral Rehydration Salts are available at school clinics or bays to manage dehydration cases promptly.
“Schools should notify the emergency hotlines immediately in case of any health emergencies or suspected cholera cases: 08023169485, 08137412348, or 767/112.”
It further advised them to stay in touch with their children’s school for updates on health guidelines and report any health concerns to the school promptly.
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, has assured that the state will apply Infection Prevention and Control measures in schools to prevent further spread of the disease.
Alli-Balogun gave the assurance in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
He urged that schools should call hotlines in the event of any suspected cholera cases or other health emergencies.
He said, “The goal of IPC in schools is to minimise the risk of infectious disease outbreaks in the school community and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for students, teachers, and other members of staff.
“As primary and secondary schools in Lagos resume tomorrow from the midterm and Sallah break, the state government urges parents, guardians, and school authorities to adhere to precautionary measures.
“These include hand hygiene – handwashing with soap and water before meals and after using the restroom—cleaning and disinfection, health screening and communication, daily health checks, and physical distancing.”
He also said that the measures included vaccination.
“Ensure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date and encourage a balanced diet to boost your child’s immune system,” he said.
The commissioner called on the management of schools to ensure that food handlers would observe strict hygiene practices to prevent contamination and the spread of diseases.
He said that oral rehydration salts must be made available in school clinics or bays to manage dehydration cases promptly while handwashing facilities must be provided.
“The WASH facilities in washroom exits, food preparation areas, the entrance of classes, the entrance of canteens/halls and at the exit to toilet facilities must be functional,” he added.
Alli-Balogun advised students to stay safe and be vigilant.
“Together, we shall create a safe and healthy environment for our children as they return to their educational activities,” he said.
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