Cholera: Ogun records one death, 16 suspected cases

Avoid locally-prepared zobo, fura, FG tells Nigerians

Ogun State Government, yesterday, confirmed one person dead as a result of Cholera outbreak in the state, with nine confirmed cases, while efforts were on top gear to establish the actual status of the 16 others that were still under close monitoring.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Funmi Coker, disclosed this, yesterday, while addressing journalists on efforts of the state government to curtail possible spread of the disease.

She said that the 25 cases were recorded in seven local councils of Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ado-Odo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro and Obafemi-Owode.

The commissioner further stated that the nine confirmed cases were traced to consumption of tiger nut milk by the victims that had a history of travelling from Lagos to Ogun State.

Coker, who further disclosed that the state had witnessed an upsurge of the outbreak of the disease within the last 72 hours, said that Cholera test kits and other consumables needed for treatment had been distributed to all the local councils and designated treatment centres to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment, adding that the treatment of cholera is free across all government facilities in the state.

“Ogun Sate Ministry of Health is coordinating this outbreak response in collaboration with stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment, Information and Education and other relevant agencies. The emergency operation centres are now in the response mode, tracking evolving situation and acting accordingly with each MDA to curtail and control the outbreak.”

She noted that the cholera sensitisation materials were being shared via all electronic platforms, including social media, radio and television stations, and other agencies that are working hard to engage the public on prevention, good hygiene and sanitation.

Also speaking on the outbreak, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said that the ministry had distributed rapid test kits to identified warehouse, borehole and water supply prone areas to discover if they are taken from contaminated sources.

RELATEDLY, the Federal Government has called on Nigerians to avoid locally-made drinks, such as kunu, zobo and fura, to prevent cholera disease.

It also urged the public to be more vigilant and also imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplaces. Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, gave the directive in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja.

Salako further tasked all and sundry with preventive measures, such as keeping their environment clean always and disposing of waste properly at designated places.

He also called on states and local councils to increase environmental health surveillance in places where food and drinks are sold nationwide.