Cholera: Council embarks on chlorination of water in communities
Chlorine
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) says it has embarked on chlorination of water bodies in communities where cholera infection has been reported to stop further transmission of the disease.
The Registrar of the council, Dr Yakubu Baba, said this during interactive session with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the council collected over 200 water and food samples across the country “and 80 per cent of the samples collected were positive.
“Our men are on the field creating awareness, making sure that water bodies that are within reported infected communities are chlorinated so that the people can have wholesome water to drink.”
Baba urged the public to adopt environmental strategies and hygiene as the surest way of containing cholera.
He identified interventions at the household level to include ensuring raw foods are washed and water sources are clean by adding reasonable percentage of chlorine.
“I implore Nigerians to adapt environmental strategies as surest way of containing spread of cholera.
“Let us embark on massive hygiene measures in our homes, schools and public space.
“Report cholera outbreak to the nearest health authority for prompt action such as food and water sampling.”
He noted that once water and food samples are positive, EHCON will ensure chlorination of water in affected communities.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported a total of 1,141 suspected cases of cholera, with 65 confirmed cases.
The centre also reported 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states from Jan. 1 to June 11.
The NCDC listed 10 states that account for 90 per cent of the cholera burden in the country to include: Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos.
The centre explained that cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by vibrio cholerae, ingested through contaminated water and food.
It said that water contamination usually result from the faeces of infected individuals during water collection, transportation or storage at home, as food can also be contaminated by unclean hands during preparation or consumption.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
FUA/YMU/HA
Edited by Yakubu Uba/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
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