The Oyo State government on Friday confirmed an outbreak of cholera in some parts of Ido, Akinyele and Irepo local government areas of the state, urging residents and citizens to prioritise preventive measures.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ayoola Adebisi disclosed this during a press briefing in Ibadan. He also reassured the populace of the state government’s effective preparedness for the prevention of cholera outbreaks.
Adebisi pleaded with them to own their actions, by ensuring that they maintain hygienic practices.
He explained that cholera is a waterborne disease that thrives in unhygienic conditions and is fuelled by practices such as eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
He appealed to residents to ensure the use of toilet facilities and avoid polluted water, large gatherings of people or contact with persons with cholera.
The Permanent Secretary explained that Disease Surveillance officers in all 33 LGAs have been put on alert to institute preventive measures in their respective domains.
Speaking further, he informed that health professionals in public and private hospitals have been placed on alert, to promptly respond to outbreaks of cholera in event of any occurrence.
Meanwhile, REPORTERS AT LARGE recently reported that the Federal Capital Territory Administration has intensified community sensitisation on cholera and other severe acute diarrhea diseases outbreaks in the nation’s capital, as the death toll leaps from 54 to 60.