The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has said cholera has claimed 30 lives and infected 1,141 patients in ten states of the federation.
The spokesperson for NBMA, Mrs Gloria Ogbaki, who revealed this on Friday in Abuja, listed the affected states to include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States.
She quoted the Director- General, NBMA, Dr Agnes Asagbra, as saying the NBMA, in collaboration with health authorities, was actively monitoring the situation and implementing measures to contain the spread of the disease.
“As we approach the festive period of the Salah celebrations, it is of utmost importance that we collectively prioritise the health and safety of our communities.
She called on Nigerians to be alert and report any case of cholera to the nearest hospital.
“Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water,” she said, and called on Nigerians to imbibe various hygiene practices such as boiling drinking water or using certified water purification methods.
According to her, there is need to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating or preparing food as well as wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, cook food thoroughly and consume it while it was hot.
She advised Nigerians to avoid raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables unless they could be peeled or washed with safe water and to always keep the environment clean and dispose waste properly to prevent contamination.
She said, “NBMA urges all Nigerians to be vigilant and adhere to these hygiene practices to protect themselves and their loved ones from cholera.”
