By Vincent Obi
Awka – A Chief Nursing Officer at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, Mrs Assumpta Ilodibe, says Nigerians should shun food vendors to guard against cholera outbreak in the country.
Ilodibe made the call in Awka on Sunday following reports of cholera breakout in some parts of the country.
She disclosed that a bacterium, called vibrio cholera, causes cholera infection with deadly effects.
She said the bacteria produces a toxin in the small intestines which makes the body to secrete much amount of water leading to diarrhea and a rapid loss of fluid and salt.
She said that it is apt for people to act quickly through dedicated hygienic acts, safe drinking water, boiled water, not sachet water.
Ilodibe advised that foodstuff bought from the markets need to be washed well with salt before consumption.
The medical expert advised people to ensure they wash and clean their toilets properly with alcohol base detergents at least three times a week.
Ilodibe said that parents should ensure that their children are inducted into healthy living principles of proper hand washing after contacts with the public.
She said that hand washing under running tap with soap after visiting the toilets or after returning from school or public places will prevent lots of communicable diseases.
Ilodibe advised that the habit of eating raw items needs to be discouraged and urged people to always wash their nuts, fruits, vegetables with clean water and salt before eating.
“Water for cooking should be very clean and upgraded personal hygiene should always be sustained,” she advised.
Ilodibe recalls that on June 9, the Lagos State Government declared a cholera outbreak as reported by the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) on June 12.
According to the EOC, 324 suspected cholera cases have been reported in the state, including 15 people who died.
