ANLG HEALTH AUTHORITY IN COLLABORATION WITH ABEOKUTA NORTH ZONAL CDC YOUTH, ANLG FAMILIARIZE TRADERS, DWELLERS ON PRECAUTIONS THAT WILL PREVENT CHOLERA OUTBREAK

BY: KOLA SODEINDE, ANLG

Cholera remains a disease of public health importance in Nigeria associated with high illness which may be susceptible to death and for that to be prevented in Abeokuta North Local Government Akomoje, the Council Chairman, ably represented by the Head of Local Government Administration, Alhaji Wasiu Babatunde Junaid FCA and Health Authority in the LGA on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 in collaboration with Abeokuta North Zonal Community Development Committee and ANLG were on motorized campaign sensitization to familiarize precautionary measures hinged to prevent the deadly bacterium call Cholera.

During the Sensitization in the markets and communities, the Medical Doctor in the LG Health Authority, Dr. Afonja Oladipupo made it known to the traders while distributing flyers which pictured the method to be applied in preventing cholera disease; explained to them that cholera is a disease caused by eating food and drinking water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholerae. Added  that its symptoms are severe diarrhoea ("rice water stool"), dehydration, weakness, muscle, cramps, fever, vomiting, low blood pressure and thirst.

Further said that the disease could be spread when people do not wash their hands with soap and water after defecating and then cook or serve food with unwashed hands. It could also spread when people eat food without washing their hands before and after eating.

Corroborating the sensitization campaign on how to prevent cholera in the vicinities and all the markets base in Abeokuta North  Local Government, the Deputy Director Health Educator and Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, Mrs. Bankole Esther and Mrs. Lemoha made it known that filtering and boiling unsafe water before drinking, or drinking sachet water that is not treated could cause cholera. The duo in cleared explanation said this could spread when an infected person defecates outside and contaminated with faeces are washed into the water system that people drink from.

The Director Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation, Abeokuta North Local Government Akomoje, Sanitarian Ige Samuel advised them to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse and irregular disposal of sewage that this help flies to carry the bacteria to water or food proceeded further that blocking of drains may also contribute to the contamination of the disease in the market space and the communities in the LG. That dwellers, most expecially the traders should by now shun the illicit character that may cause the cholera.

Comrade Olorode Sulaimon, The Youth Representative Abeokuta North Zonal CDC mentioned that Abeokuta North Zonal CDC has Five Hundred and Sixty Community Development Association (CDA) headed by the Chairman, Chief S.O Ahmed that the awareness of the disease has been peddled in all the CDA under ANLG Zonal CDC. Further said the sensitization has been  ensured through the Representatives at all CDA telling the residents in the Zone  to live heathy life by preventing themselves from the endemic bacterium call Cholera.

However, the flag off was staged at Elega Market, Olumo Rock, Ilawo which is known as the epicenter of the cholera outbreak in ANLG, Gbagura, Ori-Omi, Olomore Market, Lafenwa Market and Sabo where an interpreter spoke and explained to them in Hausa language.

Others in attendance were Local Government Immunization Officer, Mrs. Olufunwa  and the Youth league in ANLG Zonal CDC.