Expert recommend good hygiene to combat cholera

A medical expert, Dr Olujide Ayenumelo, has urged Nigerians to imbibe proper sanitary and hygienic habits to avert cholera spread.

Ayenumelo, who is the Chief Medical Director, State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa in Ondo State, made the call in an interview with (NAN) on Monday in Okitipupa.

He said cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

He listed symptoms to include severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, weakness, muscle cramps, fever, low blood pressure and thirst.

The chief medical director said cholera could spread when people fail to wash their hands with soap and water after defecating.

He noted that another mode of cholera transmission is through cooking or serving
food with unwashed hands.

According to him, cholera spreads faster in an unclean environment, where dirt, leftovers and consumption of unclean food and water occur.

“People must ensure regular sanitation, proper disposal of waste, regular washing of hands with soap at all times, especially after visiting the toilet, and ensure proper cooking of food and boiling of water before taking them,” he advised.

Ayenumelo said even though there is no cholera outbreak in Okitipupa and its environs as recorded in other parts of the country, medical experts are on red alert in the hospital to ensure prompt
discovery of the disease.

He said the hospital embarked on sensitisation of residents on the need to imbibe proper sanitary and hygienic living lifestyle to stem outbreak.