Cholera: Be more vigilant, Oyo urges residents

Tamarauemi Ebimini

The Oyo State Government has called on residents of the state to be more vigilant, imbibe good sanitation and take preventive measures to combat the spread of cholera.

The state government made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Abdulmoheed Mogbonjubola.

Mogbonjubola said the World Health Organisation had confirmed the ongoing cholera outbreak in some parts of Nigeria, as part of the global resurgence of cases of the disease.

He classified the outbreak as “currently a grade 3 public health emergency”, that requires maximal WHO system-wide response.

He said Nigeria had been identified as one of the 14 countries in Africa where the resurgence was being experienced.

“However, Oyo state currently has no cholera case as the suspected cases have returned negative after due tests,” he said.

The Commissioner noted that the cholera outbreak in neighbouring states had put the government on its toes.

He urged all residents of the state to be more vigilant, and imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplace.

He further implored everyone to take preventive measures such as: keeping their environment clean always and disposing of waste properly at designated places.

Mogbonjubola equally disclosed that the state government had begun a community awareness campaign for the prevention of the disease.

He added that the government was increasing surveillance, providing resources for safe water and ensuring that health facilities were prepared to handle any case.