8 C
New York
Sunday, December 29, 2024

FG begins water quality analysis to curtail cholera outbreak

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has initiated a water quality analysis following a cholera outbreak that has resulted in the deaths of 30 people across several states.

Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday said this was necessary following continued reports of outbreak in many parts of the country.

According to him, the ministry’s concern highlights the severity of this waterborne disease, which is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and spreads rapidly through contaminated water or food.

He said the symptoms of cholera include vomiting, severe dehydration, and diarrhea, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.

“In response to the outbreak, teams from the National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Lagos, Enugu, and Sokoto have been dispatched to collect water samples and investigate the presence of Vibrio cholerae in the affected areas.

Cholera prevention through food safety

“Additionally, the ministry is coordinating with State Technical Working Groups and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSAs) through the WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group (WiETWG) to address the outbreak comprehensively”.

Also Read  Cholera: Lagos put stakeholders in education sector on high alert

Shinkafi said that before the outbreak, the National WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group had already trained state working groups on preparedness, prevention, and response strategies, as well as hygiene promotion and water safety planning.

A WASH facility

These states, he said have now intensified their community sensitisation efforts to reduce cholera cases and are promoting campaigns against open defecation, a known transmission route for the disease.

He however urged Nigerians to take precautions to protect themselves and their families by boiling or treating drinking water before consumption.

The permanent secretary called on all Nigerians to take wash hands with soap under clean, running water regularly, especially before eating and after using the toilet.

He said the ministry will continue to provide updates in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the situation evolves.

“Let’s wash fruits and vegetables with safe water and salt before eating.

Patients undergoing treatment for cholera

“Let’s also seek medical attention immediately if experiencing symptoms of cholera, such as vomiting, severe dehydration, and diarrhea.

Also Read  Cholera: UNICEF donates N113m medical supplies to Borno

“Together, we can overcome this challenge and prevent further loss of lives”.

NAN quotes the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention as saying “as of 11 June 2024, 1,141 suspected cholera cases had been recorded across 30 states in Nigeria since January 2024.’’

The 10 states that recorded 90 per cent of the cases are mostly located in the South (Bayelsa—over 400 cases, Lagos, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Imo States), with some situated further north (Katsina, Nasarawa, Zamfara).(NAN)

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Stay Connected

3,500FansLike
3,028FollowersFollow
500FollowersFollow

Latest Articles