Cholera outbreak: Ogun govt. announces precautionary measures

The Ogun government on Saturday in Abeokuta announced precautionary measures to prevent a possible outbreak of cholera in the state, following events in several states of the country.

Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, in a statement said the governor was seriously concerned about the development.

”We have to take action in view of the need to protect the people in the state, considering the proximity to Lagos and the degree of interactions between the two states,” he said.

Akinmade said precautionary measures have been put in place especially as the Sallah holiday approaches.

He reeled out the measures as including the directive about toilets, stipulating that all houses must have toilets.

“Any house without a toilet should identify a room to be converted to a toilet. Residents are given three to six months of grace for compliance.

“All petrol stations must have functional public toilets with running water as part of their corporate social responsibilities.

“All garages, parks, markets and mechanic villages must have functional toilets with running water.

“All schools (public and private) should have public toilets with running water,” he said.

Akinade added that, in addition to these measures, residents are advised to drink only safe water which is either boiled or chlorinated.

He also advised proper hand-washing with soap after each toilet visit and before handling food, just as all fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with safe water.

The governor’s aide further that government has advised that all foods should be cooked properly.

”Also, people should endeavour to buy and eat only food that is hot and cooked with water from reliable sources.”

Akinmade assured that the Ministry of Environment would see to the strict compliance of all the measures as violators would be made to face the wrath of law accordingly.