Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The Ogun State government has announced plans to chlorinate wells in some parts of the state, following the outbreak of cholera in three different local government areas.
Already, four people have reportedly died from the waterborne disease in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State over the weekend, PUNCH Healthwise gathered from residents that pleaded anonymity.
However, in a statement signed by Dr Tomi Coker, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on health and made available to journalists on Sunday evening, the state government alerted the residents of the state to the outbreak of Cholera in the local government.
The statement read, “There is an Outbreak of Cholera (Aarun òní gbá méjì) in the Ijebu North Local Government area of Ogun State. Cholera is known to occur during raining seasons and may also be associated with poor environment and personal hygiene.
“It is commonly present with stooling with or without vomiting leading to dehydration. Cholera can result in death if the severe dehydration is not promptly corrected. We implore all citizens of Ogun State to Please Report all cases of Stooling with or without vomiting to the nearest government health facility and notify the LGA DSNO (08069788449).
“Ensure proper personal and environmental hygiene. Citizens should wash their hand frequently (before and after using the toilet or eating). Use water from clean sources, treat water before use and boil before drinking.
“Wash and cook food thoroughly before eating. Prevent open defecation
Please be careful of the food and water you take, because cholera is caused by water or food contaminated with faeces. Thank you all for your Support and Cooperation”, the statement concluded
Asked to confirm the number of casualties, Dr Coker said “Good evening. I am yet to get the full situation report.”
However, speaking on the cases recorded on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker revealed that a total of 217 cases have been recorded in Ijebu-North LG , with additional cases surfacing in Abeokuta North and South LG last week.
Coker, who made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta, noted that the key to eliminating cholera is adopting a multi-sectoral strategy.
She said that officials from the State Public Health Department are educating residents on essential hygiene practices to prevent cholera.
The commissioner blamed the outbreak on open defecation, poor waste management, and inadequate water sources in the affected local government areas.
She added, “It is unfortunate that our people still engage in open defecation, unaware that fecal materials enter shallow wells, which many of them use as water sources. For instance, in Ijebu-North Local Government, we found 52 shallow wells and microbiological testing revealed that 75 percent of these wells had evidence of fecal contamination with coliform bacteria.
“We will work with our colleagues in the Environment Ministry to ensure sanitation, promote the use of appropriate sanitary facilities in homes, and construct sanitary wells. These wells should be well-built and less likely to be contaminated by fecal material, especially during the period of incessant rainfall and flooding, which washes fecal material into our water sources.”
Coker advised residents of the State to avoid open defecation, construct affordable toilets and sanitary wells in their homes, and warned that the government may seal houses without toilets in the interest of public health.
The Commissioner further advised residents adopt safety measures to protect themselves against cholera.
She said they boil their water, cover it when stored, wash their hands before eating, cook their food thoroughly, and dispose of waste properly.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post Four feared dead, 217 cases recorded as cholera spreads in Ogun appeared first on Healthwise.