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As the cholera outbreak continues to spread into more states, South-South region governors have activated emergency response centers to contain potential outbreaks in their domains.
Government sources from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, who disclosed this while responding to a News Agency of Nigeria survey, also said there were no confirmed cholera cases in the states.
According to them. they had already commenced sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on measures to mitigate the disease.
It would be recalled that cases of cholera outbreak were reported in 112 local government areas in 33 states of the federation between January 1 and June 30, 2024.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, no fewer than 2,102 suspected cases and 63 deaths from cholera have been reported during the period.
NAN reports that Cholera is an infectious bacteria disease of the small intestine caused by ingestion of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, contracted from contaminated water and food.
Speaking in Akwa Ibom, the Health Commissioner, Professor Augustine Umoh said, “For now, there is no reported case of cholera outbreak in the state”
He said that the government had already commenced a sensitisation programme in all the 31 LGAs on the essence of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene.
Umoh urged residents of the state to adopt household water treatment schemes such as boiling, filtering, and disinfection before using.
He said, “We have to wash our hands with soap and clean water regularly, especially after using the toilet and before eating. We are also urging our people to wash fruits and other food items before eating.”
The commissioner said apart from the sensitisation, the government had taken other steps to contain any eventual outbreak of the disease in the state.
He explained, “We are stocking emergency drugs such as fluid and necessary medications in all primary health centres across the state.
“The state government has also reactivated all emergency operations centres across the state to forestall any outbreak.”
The commissioner further said that the Akwa Ibom government would continue to monitor and ensure surveillance, especially in the border communities.
Umoh urged the residents to take salt-sugar solution in the case of diarrhoea and report to the nearest health centre for prompt action.
Similarly, Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, confirmed the absence of any confirmed case of cholera across the 23 local government areas of the state.
She said that although there were no current active cases, there were reports of Acute Watery Diarrhoea a month earlier, adding, however, that none of the cases were currently active.
The commissioner added, “About four weeks ago, we had about 16 suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea in three coastal communities of Andoni LGA, with two associated deaths.
“Two samples tested positive for cholera using the Rapid Diagnostic screening tool, however, these results were not confirmed by a culture test.
“At present, there are no active cases or any cholera outbreak or acute watery diarrhoea in Rivers state.”
Oreh disclosed that the state government had deployed medical supplies to areas prone to infectious diseases, adding, “The infectious disease treatment centre at Rivers State University Hospital, which was marked for upgrade into an infectious disease institute, is now fully equipped to manage cases.
“The state government is working closely with the World Health Organisation, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and other relevant stakeholders to safeguard the health of residents.”
Oreh said that the health ministry had enhanced the skills of health professionals and initiated health awareness campaigns, promoting safe hygiene practices.
She also said that a surveillance system had been on high alert regarding potential triggers of infectious diseases.
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing adequate support, response, and containment of viral diseases.
Oreh went on to advise residents to uphold good hygiene habits such as drinking clean water, eating well-cooked food, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before consumption, and avoiding open defecation.
In the same vein, the Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, disclosed that there was no recent confirmation of a cholera outbreak in the state.
He explained that the last record of a confirmed case of cholera was in January 2024, saying, “This was effectively addressed.”
According to him, the state is fully prepared for any emergency response in the current nationwide cholera outbreak.
He said, “The public health emergency response centre has been activated while the local government response teams have all been strengthened with adequate capacity, including commodities to handle any emergency.
“Similarly, as residents of the state can see, there has been a massive improvement in waste evacuation, which is returning the state to its status as one of the cleanest in the nation.
“This is also a measure to fight the disease because cholera thrives with dirt, which contaminates what humans consume.”
Ayuk, however, advised the citizens of the state to adhere to precautionary measures by maintaining good personal hygiene, safe foods, and clean water consumption, as well as avoiding crowded environments.
He appealed to residents of the state to quickly report any case of diarrhea or stooling, vomiting, or other cholera-related symptoms to the nearest health facility.
He maintained that the state government was committed to the health and well-being of its citizens at all times.
(NAN)
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