The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory, warning of a rise in cholera cases nationwide, coinciding with the intensification of the rainy season. This alert follows the outbreak initially reported in Lagos State......READ THE FULL STORY>>.....READ THE FULL STORY>>
As detailed in the advisory, released on Friday, June 14, 2024, there have been 1,141 suspected cases and 65 confirmed instances of cholera from January 1 to June 11, 2024.
So far, 30 people have been confirmed dead in 96 local government areas across 30 states.
Business Elite Africa has compiled five effective tips to help prevent the spread of cholera.
1. Drink and use safe water
Only drink water from sealed bottles, water that has been boiled or cleaned with a filter or chemicals. This helps prevent cholera, which lives in dirty water.
Always use clean water to wash and cook food. Cholera can spread if you use dirty water to prepare food.
Use clean water for washing your hands and brushing your teeth. This stops harmful cholera bacteria from getting into your body
To make sure your water is safe, you can boil it. This kills the cholera bacteria and other germs. You can also use chlorine or other safe chemicals to clean the water. Using a water filter that removes bacteria is another good option.
By using water that is clean and safe, you can help stop the spread of cholera, especially in places where this disease is common.
2.Wash your hands regularly
To maintain proper hygiene and prevent illness, it’s crucial to wash your hands at several key times before, during, and after you prepare food, before eating or feeding others, following bathroom use, after changing diapers, and while caring for someone with diarrhea.
If soap and safe water are unavailable, an effective alternative is an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol, which can help eliminate germs and reduce the spread of diseases.
3. Cook food properly
Cholera bacteria are killed at high temperatures, so it’s vital to cook food thoroughly. Ensure that all parts of the food reach at least 70°C (158°F).
Foods like seafood, poultry, and eggs need particular attention to cook through to safe temperatures. Use a food thermometer to verify that meats have reached the appropriate internal temperature.
Eat food immediately after cooking. If you need to store food, do so in a covered container, and keep it above 60°C (140°F) or below 5°C (41°F). Avoid leaving cooked food at room temperature, where bacteria can quickly multiply.
In areas at risk for cholera, avoid raw foods that cannot be peeled or that you have not peeled yourself. Raw or undercooked meat and seafood are particularly hazardous. Salads and raw vegetables should only be consumed if they can be thoroughly cleaned with safe water and peeled.
If reheating food, ensure it reaches 74°C (165°F) and maintain this temperature for at least two minutes. This practice helps kill any bacteria that might have developed during storage.
4. Avoid open defecation
Building and using latrines or toilets is the most effective way to eliminate open defecation. Governments, non-profit organisations and community leaders should collaborate to provide affordable, accessible sanitation facilities.
The prevention of cholera is closely linked to effective sanitation practices. Avoiding open defecation by ensuring access to proper sanitation facilities is a critical component in combating the spread of cholera.
Through community involvement, education, and support from local and national governments, significant strides can be made in eradicating open defecation and improving public health outcomes.
5. Keep surroundings clean
Ensure that all household and community waste is disposed of properly. Garbage should be collected regularly and disposed of in designated areas away from living spaces and water sources. This reduces the risk of contamination and discourages the proliferation of disease-carrying pests such as flies and rodents.
Regular cleaning and disinfection of public areas, including markets, schools, and streets, can help minimise the risk of cholera. This practice should be a community effort, involving local authorities to ensure that these areas are kept clean and free of waste.
Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for cholera bacteria. Communities should ensure that drainage systems are properly maintained and free of obstructions to prevent water accumulation. In flood-prone areas, efforts should be made to improve drainage to reduce the risk of water contamination.
