Cholera: AK Govt Reminds Residents Of Preventive Measures

UYO

Following the outbreak of Cholera in Akwa Ibom residents,indigenes have been reminded of the need to adhere to preventive measures against its spread.

The state health promotion officer, Mrs Margret Etim, gave the advice at the stakeholders orientation meeting which took place at the conference room of the Ministry of Health, recently.

Some of the affected local government areas are: Mbo, UrueOffong/Oruku, Essien Udim, Ikot Ekpene, Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Uruan, Obot Akara, Oron, Abak and Etinan.

Etim who listed symptoms of cholera to include; abdominal pains, stooling of watery, foamy or rice colour faces for three to four days within 24 hours.

She also hinted that the symptom was accompanied with vomiting and general weakness, which occur acutely leading to immediate death of an infected person.

For risk reduction, the officer advised that fruits should be washed and peeled before eating, while vegetables should be soaked with salt water for cooking.

Etim further explained that the disease was contagious, hence people should wash their hands thoroughly before eating, use water from reliable sources, store it in covered container and ensure that the water was boiled before drinking.

Besides, she warned that only hot food should be eaten and that such food should be well covered.

The pre-cautioning measures, according to her, include: environmental hygiene such as the avoiding of indiscriminatedefecation and refuse dumping.

On Lassa fever, Etim stated, although there was no outbreak in Akwa Ibom, as its symptoms include: typhoid, high fever, soarthroat, general muscle pain, stomach pains, reddish eyes and diarrhea.

The health promotion officer emphasized that the disease condition was vague and enters the system through bodily fluid,therefore the public should be preventive by covering food items against rats or rodents access. Etim said that the vector multiplies fast, having 16-22 breast and producing at least 15 children at a time.

She advised that all rats sighted in the house should be eliminated, while bushes should be cleared around residential houses.

Etim, who noted that Lassa fever entails a multi-lateral approach to deal with, encouraged public to report case to the nearest health centre for contact tracing.