By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Presently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and prevention has declared cholera a public health emergency after its risk assessment showed the country is now at ‘High Risk’ of increased risk of cholera transmission and impact.
The National Cholera Emergency Operations Centre has, therefore , been activated to interrupt disease transmission and reduce the impact of the disease and other socioeconomic complications
Cholera is a food and water borne disease and Water is usually contaminated by faeces of infected individuals as well as unsafe practices such as improper disposal of refuse and open defecation.
The highly contagious disease which time between infection and the appearance of symptoms is 2 hours to 5 days, has a higher risk of transmission in areas that lack adequate sanitation facilities or a regular supply of clean water.
Cholera has since January 2024 caused devastation in nigeria with a total of 1528 suspected cases and 53 deaths recorded across 31 states in 107 local government areas as of 24th June 2024.
Source: AIT