The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has commenced a water quality analysis in response to a cholera outbreak that has claimed 30 lives across multiple states.
Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary has said that this action is crucial due to ongoing reports of the outbreak in various regions of the country.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Shinkafi noted that cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, spreads rapidly through contaminated water or food. The disease’s symptoms include vomiting, severe dehydration, and diarrhea, which can be fatal if not promptly treated.
“In response to the outbreak, teams from the National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Lagos, Enugu, and Sokoto have been dispatched to collect water samples and investigate the presence of Vibrio cholerae in the affected areas,” he said.
Furthermore, the ministry is collaborating with State Technical Working Groups and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSAs) through the WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group (WiETWG) to comprehensively address the outbreak.
Shinkafi explained that the National WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group had previously trained state working groups on preparedness, prevention, and response strategies, as well as hygiene promotion and water safety planning.
These states have now intensified their community sensitization efforts to reduce cholera cases and are promoting campaigns against open defecation, a known transmission route for the disease.
Shinkafi urged Nigerians to take precautions to protect themselves and their families by boiling or treating drinking water before consumption and washing hands with soap under clean, running water regularly, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
He assured that the ministry would continue to provide updates in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the situation evolves.
“Let’s wash fruits and vegetables with safe water and salt before eating,” he advised. “Let’s also seek medical attention immediately if experiencing symptoms of cholera, such as vomiting, severe dehydration, and diarrhea. Together, we can overcome this challenge and prevent further loss of lives.”
The NCDC reported that as of June 11, 2024, there have been 1,141 suspected cholera cases recorded across 30 states since January 2024. The 10 states that recorded 90% of the cases include Bayelsa (with over 400 cases), Lagos, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, and Zamfara.
