Residents of Ibadan have appealed to the Oyo state government to intensify more efforts in sensitising the public on dangers inherent in cholera epidemic.

The residents, who spoke with journalists in Ibadan, said that many people in the state were ignorant about the disease, hence the need for adequate sensitisation.

Oluwatoyin Adeyemi, a nurse, stressed the need for government to be proactive on issues like cholera, to save people from falling victims.

She also called on stakeholders and heads of various markets to join government in the sensitisation of the public on the dangers inherent in the disease.

“The key focus areas should be markets, restaurants and other eating places in our society.

“If we look critically at where these foods are prepared, I mean the environment and the water being used, we will feel sorry for ourselves.

“Governments at all levels have to work in synergy to stop the spread of the disease,” Ms Adeyemi said.

The state commissioner for health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, had stated that cholera, generally believed to be the most contagious food and waterborne disease, remained a significant public health threat in Nigeria.

Ms Ajetunmobi said that the possible outbreak in some of the neighbouring states had forced the state government to take some proactive measures.

She said that the Cholera Technical Working Group (CTWG) would develop and implement a comprehensive cholera preparedness and response plan as well as strengthen surveillance, early warning, enhance public awareness and community engagements.

The commissioner added that it would also coordinate provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene services as well as facilitate research and use of evidence-based practices in cholera control.

Chairman of the State Hospital Management Board (SHMB), Dr Akin Fagbemi, also said that government had embarked on training of all the 33 local government areas Rapid Response Team (RRT) members.

Mr Fagbemi also said that the government had commenced training of 351 community informants and activation of Public Health Emergency Operating Centre (PHEOC), with most of the pillars functioning.

“There is also airing of cholera jingles in all the major radio and television stations across the state and community sensitisation in all markets and schools.

“We have also activated a multi-sectoral cholera technical working groups and the Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo, Ibadan, while we have also collaborated and engaged with private medical practitioners.

“We also have an advocacy and collaboration with the ministries of environment, information, education, SUBEB and RUWASA as well as training of health workers on cholera case definitions, among other measures,” he said.

According to him, the state public health system has disease surveillance officers across the state, local government areas and wards.

The SHMB chairman added that government was also in partnership with World Health Organisation (WHO), as part of the measures to identify the sources of the disease and how to avert future outbreak.

Government had recently inaugurated a Cholera Technical Working Group (CTWG), as part of measures to prevent cholera outbreak in the state.

The group was charged with the responsibility of coordinating multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approaches to preventing, detecting and responding to any case of the epidemic within the state.

A family physician, Dr Francis Sanwo, noted that rapid access to treatment was essential during any cholera outbreak.

Mr Sanwo also said that oral rehydration should be made available in communities, in addition to the establishment of larger treatment centres that would provide intravenous fluids and 24-hour care for the victims.

“With early and proper treatment, the case fatality rate will remain below one per cent.

“Zinc is an important adjunctive therapy for children under five, which also reduces the duration of diarrhoea and may prevent future episodes of other causes of acute watery diarrhoea.

“Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to preventing and controlling the transmission of cholera, while a multi-faceted approach is key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.

“A combination of surveillance, water, sanitation and hygiene (environmental and personal), social mobilisation, treatment and oral cholera vaccines can be used,” he said.

Mr Sanwo, the medical director of Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Ibadan, advised people to always wash their hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before and after handling food.

He urged people to drink only safe water, including bottled water or water they had boiled or disinfected by themselves.

“Use bottled water even to brush your teeth. Don’t add ice to your drinks unless you made it by yourself, using safe water. Eat food that’s completely cooked and hot, and avoid food from street vendors, if possible.

“Take fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados.

“Community engagement means that people and communities are part of the process of developing and implementing programmes.

“Local culture practices and beliefs are central to promoting actions and adoption of protective hygiene measures, such as hand washing with soap, safe preparation and storage of food as well as safe disposal of the faeces.

“Funeral practices for individuals who die from cholera should be well-handled to prevent infection among the attendees,” he stated.

Similarly, the chairman of Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) in the state, Dr Olufemi Okedare, described cholera as a bacterial disease that could contaminate food or water and when taken, could lead to gastroenteritis.

According to him, the resultant diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to loss of fluids and electrolytes, thus resulting in dehydration, shock and kidney failure and ultimately, death.

“Cholera is preventable by provision of clean potable water and cultural hygienic practices, including people watching the water and food they take.

“Wash hands frequently and get treated promptly, when infected.

“Salt and sugar solution drinking even before getting to hospital can also go a long way in taking care of the infection first.

“Emergency response by government when there is epidemic like this and having a special ward for cholera for urgent rehydration and treatment are all paramount,” Okedare said.

The State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), in conjunction with WaterAid Nigeria, has intensified efforts against the spread of cholera in the state.

The agency’s director of water supply, Sikiru Olayiwola, said that the agency had carried out training on preparedness and response to cholera, while water treatment chemicals were distributed to people in Egbeda and Ona-Ara local government areas.

“To ensure access to potable water, some boreholes have been rehabilitated while new ones are being constructed.

“We have constructed up to eight hand-pumped and 12 solar-powered boreholes in Egbeda and Ona-Ara local government areas,” he said.

Mr Olayiwola added that WaterAid Nigeria had also completed OYORUWASSA work through donation of three boreholes in Ibarapa East Local Government area to ensure availability of potable water for good hygiene.

 (NAN)