By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – An outbreak of cholera has claimed the life of a 62-year-old woman in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Sundiata Post learnt that the deceased woman contracted cholera while caring for her infected child, who is now hospitalized.
The incident was said to have occurred three days ago.
Confirming the outbreak, Dr. Tomi Coker, the Commissioner for Health, said: “A 62-year-old woman died and five persons were hospitalised. It happened in Ijebu-Igbo in the Ijebu-North local government area of the state.”
The chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in the state, Dr. Kunle Ashimi, in a press conference on Thursday, acknowledged the widespread impact of cholera, which, according to him, has affected 30 states across the country, including Ogun.
He noted that cases would be treated free of charge at designated facilities and urged the populace to imbibe preventive measures against the spread of cholera.
Ashimi said: “Such patients will be transported to and treated free at the facilities designated for the management of cholera cases across the state.
“We use this opportunity to appeal to our people to imbibe preventive measures for the prevention of the spread of Cholera, including avoiding open defecation, avoiding indiscriminate refuse dumping, washing hands regularly, washing fruits and vegetables well before consuming and treating water before consuming it either by boiling or treating with chemical purifying agents.
“We advocate that where there is no wherewithal to do this, two drops of plain household bleach in 1 litre of water is a good alternative. We also implore schools to monitor food, fruit and snack vendors around the schools to ensure that they practice proper hygiene. As well, schools should reintroduce hand washing stations like was done during the COVID-19 period.”
