From Lateef Taiwo
As Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Nimet, predict the impending danger of raising season, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC on Tuesday said the agency have observed a significant increase in the reported incidence of cholera and other epidemic prone diseases such as yellow fever, Lassa fever and meningitis.
The Director General, NCDC, Dr Jide Idris disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja advised the general public in to reduce the risk of transmission of cholera, to ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking, Practice proper hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap under clean running water, Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and clean water are not available, ensure that food is well cooked before consumption. Only consume raw food, such as fruits and vegetables, after washing thoroughly with safe water, Protect cooked food or boiled water from contamination by flies and unsanitary handling, Leftover foods should be thoroughly reheated before ingestion and Persons with diarrhea should not prepare or serve food or haul water for others.
He urged Healthcare Workers to always practice standard safety precautions, such as wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient or relative, Intensify surveillance efforts to report suspected cholera cases promptly.
Idris advocate for State Governments to continue to prioritize actions that ensure access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices in communities.
The Ministries of Water Resources and Environment are urged to ensure adequate and functional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, WASH, facilities in all LGAs and communities, saying rains are fully here and flooding already being reported in some parts of the country. In addition to the ongoing outbreak of cholera in the country, we have observed a significant increase in the reported incidence of other epidemic prone diseases such as yellow fever, he said.
The NCDC informed that rainfall significantly impacts the spread of waterborne diseases by affecting water quality and availability in the following ways:
Heavy rainfall can wash pathogens from soil, animal waste, and sewage into rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, Intense rainfall can overwhelm our sewage systems, causing untreated or partially treated sewage to overflow into water supplies, Floodwaters often contain a mixture of rainwater, sewage, industrial, waste, and other contaminants, which can introduce pathogens into drinking water sources, flooding can displace populations, leading to overcrowded shelters with inadequate sanitation facilities, and increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.
He noted that heavy rains and floods can damage water treatment infrastructure, leading to the distribution of contaminated water, and Rainfall can compromise sanitation systems, leading to the spread of pathogens.
He warned that with the ongoing rainy season, there is an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and other respiratory-related illnesses such as cold, flu
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