By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
URGENT and INCREASED vigilance, along with proactive measures, have been mooted by the Oyo State Government to stave off a potential cholera outbreak within the region.
During a visit to a private hospital in Ibadan where two suspected cholera cases were under observation, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, emphasized the necessity of precaution.
Cholera, a bacterial infection transmitted through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected individual, poses significant health risks.
Dr. Ajetunmobi detailed that cholera is highly contagious, leading to severe acute watery diarrhea and pronounced dehydration. Symptoms can include nausea, excessive vomiting, and fever.
The current suspected cases in Ibadan involve two male construction workers from the Lekki Peninsula in Lagos State.
Assuring the public, Dr. Ajetunmobi stated that there is no immediate cause for alarm. The Health Ministry, alongside its partners, is actively managing the situation to prevent fatalities and outlined the state’s response strategy, which includes several measures to contain and monitor the situation.
She said efforts by the Oyo State Government include deploying Local Government Area Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (LGA DSNOs), airing educational jingles in both English and Yoruba across various media platforms, and promptly establishing the Cholera Technical Working Group.
Additionally, the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) Olodo has been mobilized for isolation and treatment purposes. Surveillance activities have been intensified at the LGA level, and community informants have been updated with the latest cholera case definitions. Furthermore, awareness and sensitization initiatives are being conducted among local leaders and community structures.
Dr. Ajetunmobi stressed the importance of personal safety measures, advising residents to ensure their water sources are clean and to maintain good hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap and water. She cautioned against self-medication, urging those exhibiting symptoms to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest healthcare facility.
