Cholera Outbreak: Stay Calm, We Are Prepared For Prevention – Oyo Govt Assures Residents

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… disease surveillance, notification officers in all LGAs put on alert … as sensitization begins in public, private hospitals

Oyo state government, on Friday, reassured the residents and citizens about her preparedness for the prevention of outbreak of cholera in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Speaking at the press conference held at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mufutau Ayoola, implored the people to properly dispose their faeces and refuse and improve on their personal hygiene henceforth.

He equally maintained that disease surveillance and notification officers in all the 33 Local Government Areas of the state have been put on alert to institute preventive measures and sensitization of health professionals, with a view to promptly responding to outbreak of cholera in our areas.

“The State Ministry of Health wish to draw the attention of the members of the public to the need to prevent outbreak of Cholera among the populace.

“Cholera is a water borne illness which is highly contagious. It is an infection that is transmitted from person to person through faeces oral route, that is through eating food or drinking of water contaminated by faeces, especially where the source of drinking water has been polluted by flooding in unprotected wells as well as attending to large gathering of people during ceremonies such as wedding and funeral and contact with persons with cholera or who died of cholera.

“The disease often present with frequent watery diarrhea and vomiting and it is common where people practice open defecation.

“Members of the public are hereby implored to always take some precautions and preventive measures. They should avoid drinking water from doubtful sources, e.g streams, wells that have been polluted by flood water.

“Avoid dumping of faeces and refuse in to streams and rivers. Ensure water from doubtful sources is boiled, and cooled before drinking
Regular hand washing after visiting the toilet, bathroom and attending to anyone stooling.

“Washing fruits and vegetable well with clean water before eating. Cover all foods and drinks from out of reach of house flies.

“The disease surveillance and notification officers in all the 33 LGAS of the State and have been put on alert to institute preventive measures, and sensitization of health professionals in public and private hospitals to promptly respond to outbreak of Cholera in the event of any occurrence.

“We want to also reassure the populace of effective preparedness for the prevention of outbreak of cholera and wish to implore the populace to properly dispose of their faeces and refuse and improve on their personal hygiene,” He said.

Speaking further, He added that suspected individuals should be referred to the nearest government hospitals for free and quality care service

He, therefore, urged the general public to call the Ministry of Health by calling some provided hotlines – 09058704101, 08025245809.

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