Plateau State Government has warned citizens of the state that cholera remains a significant threat to human lives, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
Programme Coordinator of Plateau State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, Jonathan Malann stated this while addressing journalists in Jos, Plateau State.
Malann said the the state has taken a big stress to prevent cholera outbreak in the state, following reports of the prevalence of the disease in 33 states across Nigeria.
He emphasised that cholera is highly contagious and potentially deadly disease which is also preventable with the right measures.
He identified common sources of cholera infection to include contamination of drinking water, uncooked foods with or wash with contaminated water, and sea food taken from contaminated water.
“Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with bacterium vibrio cholerae. It remains a significant threat to health, particularly in the areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.
“It is highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, but it is entirely preventable with the right measures”, he said.
According to him, the Plateau state government has designed a multi-sectional coordination mechanisms to control the spread of the disease, including working with local and international stakeholders.
He highlighted the importance of early identification of the disease, procurement of water treatment chemicals, and access to safe water in preventing the spread of the disease.
“The government has also procured bulk assorted water treatment chemicals for water supply agencies in the state”, he said.
The SURWASH boss then called on the public to take collective action and make choices to treat their water, wash their hands properly and always and also avoid defecation.
He urged the media and the public to support government’s cholera prevention efforts and emphasized the importance of unified measures on cholera prevention to raise awareness and prompt commuinity action.
“We must unite behind the Call to Action, the time is now, to collaborate in preventing the the spread of cholera in our state. It starts with us through collective efforts and Investment in long-term solutions, Plateau State can achieve cholera-free environment and safeguard the health of its residents”, he said.
-9News Nigeria.
