17th June, 2024
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, says the state has activated its surveillance for immediate response to any case of cholera outbreak in the state.
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Akure, Ajaka said two cases had been reported in Okitipupa Local Government Area in the state, of which he said, had been curtailed by the Rapid Response Team of the state.
He said that the state had strengthened the Rapid Response Team which included Primary Health Care (PHC) coordinators, lab focal persons, disease surveillance officers across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“The surveillance team was also strengthened with community informants and contact tracers trained and placed on stipends for eight months.
“They have been deployed for active case search in preparation for any reported cholera outbreak,” he said.
The commissioner explained that an emergency preparedness committee would be put in place to work on issues such as provision of potable water, sanitation, strengthening of the health institutions and other relevant sectors.
According to him, there are collaborative efforts between all the agencies in the health sector and Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, information, Water Resources and Waste Management Agency.
He also mentioned that an incident management system would be set up which would facilitate case detection, isolation and treatment of cases including complications.
Ajaka assured that government would play its part by sensitising and creating awareness in the mass media and also through community engagement.
He appealed to citizens to maintain a high level of personal and food hygiene, and report promptly to the nearest hospital any case of diarrhoea and vomiting.
Cholera is a bacterial infection that can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration, with the symptoms to include: diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration, amongst others.