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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Plateau State government has taken steps to prevent cholera outbreak in the state.
This followed reports of the outbreak of the disease in 33 states across the country.
Programme Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH), Jonathan Malann, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Jos on Wednesday, warned that cholera remains a significant threat to health, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, poor sanitation and hygiene.
Such measures, according to the programme manager, included multisectoral coordination mechanisms to control the spread of cholera, including working with local and international stakeholders.
Another measure, he said is early identification of cholera cases, procurement of water treatment chemicals, and access to safe water in preventing the spread of the disease.
Malann said that though cholera is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, it is also preventable with the adequate and commensurate measures.
He identified common sources of cholera infection, to include contamination of drinking water, uncooked food made with or washed with contaminated water, and seafood taken from contaminated water.
“Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It remains a significant threat to health, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.
“It is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease, but it is also entirely preventable with the right measures.
“The government has also procured bulk assorted water treatment chemicals for water supply agencies and is working to increase access to water supply services in the state”.
Malann called on the public to take collective action and make choices to treat their water, wash their hands at critical times, and avoid open defecation.
He said that the government has also partnered with the media to deliver Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene messages to the public in order to prevent cholera and other water-related diseases.
