By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE BID to curb the spread of infectious diseases in Nigeria are gaining momentum as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) intensifies its public awareness campaign.
With outbreaks of cholera, meningitis, and Lassa fever frequently threatening public health, the agency has announced that it is focusing on preventive education to reduce the impact of these seasonal diseases.
NOA’s Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, has emphasised that inadequate awareness remains a major factor in the persistence of these illnesses.
He noted that Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) spreads rapidly in northern Nigeria due to extreme heat, while cholera thrives in unsanitary environments, particularly where open defecation contaminates water sources.
Isa-Onilu said that Lassa fever, often linked to poor food storage and rodent infestations, remains a recurring public health challenge.
The campaign, which commenced in August 2024 with a focus on Lassa fever, has now shifted towards meningitis as the dry season intensifies.
The next phase, scheduled for April, will address cholera outbreaks that typically follow the onset of the rainy season.
Targeted states for the first phase of the campaign include Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Benue, Bauchi, and Ebonyi.
He said these locations were selected based on disease surveillance data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Plans are underway to extend the initiative to Yobe and Borno, where previous CSM outbreaks have been recorded.
According to a statement issued by NOA’s Deputy Director of Publicity, Paul Odenyi, the campaign is designed to reinforce preventive measures at the community level.
The agency is urging Nigerians to adopt simple but effective hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, proper food handling, and environmental cleanliness.
NOA officials across the country are engaging local communities through town hall meetings, radio programmes, and social media campaigns to ensure widespread awareness.
The initiative aims to equip citizens with the knowledge needed to mitigate the risk of infection, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited.
NOA noted that the upcoming phase of the campaign is expected to gain further traction as it collaborates with other health agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to strengthen outreach efforts.
Isa-Onilu emphasised that it is by addressing public health risks proactively that the agency can adequately curb the recurrent outbreaks of these life-threatening diseases across Nigeria.
