Former Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMPA) General Physician, Dr Tunji Akintade, has called for a ban on the sale of ‘nylon water’ to reduce the transmission of cholera disease in the country.

Dr Tunji made this known during an interview with journalists in Lagos.

He called to the Federal Government to take drastic measures at restricting it so that the sale of nylon water be reduced to further curbed the transmission and deaths arising from cholera outbreaks nationwide

The physician sounded a note of warning to the general public against consuming nylon water, pointing out that the source and purification of such water can not be ascertained because they are not properly registered.

He disclosed that past tests had confirmed the contamination of some boreholes and well water by pathogens, emphasising that nylon water was unsafe for consumption

“People can get cholera by drinking unsafe water or eating food contaminated with cholera bacteria.

“It’s so sad that people neglect their health because of financial concerns and some unscrupulous traders are cashing on it,” he said.

Akintade appealed to the government to intensify surveillance across communities and attach punitive measures for traders of nylon water toward safeguarding the health of citizens.

The physician also called for effective monitoring and regulations of pure water and bottled water factories to ensure they adhere to safety standards in their production.

He lamented the perennial cholera outbreak in the country, noting that cholera had ceased to be a public health concern in industrialised countries that deployed modern sewage and water treatment.

He urged the Federal and state governments to move beyond alerting the public about the unsafe conditions of the water source to expediting actions to improve access to clean and safe water through functional water boards.

The physician stressed that doing that would mitigate the health risks associated with the consumption of unsafe water, especially as rain and flooding are causing waterborne diseases in communities.

He added that ingesting contaminated food could also cause cholera, advising the public to ensure vegetables and fruits are properly washed before eating and food produced in a hygienic environment.

Akintade stressed the equipping of environmental inspection officers with improved training and equipment required to effectively monitor and clean the environment.

“The issue of revenue generation through them should be downplayed for them to achieve their core mandates, focusing on ways to generate money has trivialised their role.”

Cholera is an acute diarrhoea infection caused by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on June 24 disclosed that 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cholera cases were recorded across 31 states, since the beginning of 2024.

Lagos State is the epicentre of the cholera outbreak with 29 fatalities, 579 suspected cases and 43 laboratory-confirmed cases across multiple Local Government Areas in the state.

Reports  has it that  some traders within Lagos State and it’s environ have increased the price of “pure water” also known as “sachet water” just to survive  the hardship in the country

A Sachet of water is  now being sold at N50 in most parts of Lagos, while nylon water is sold for N10 or N20, depending on the location.

As part of its efforts to enlighten the public,the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Oyo state has visited some food markets in Ibadan on Thursday to sensitise vendors on cholera and how to prevent its spread.

The chairwoman of the association, Omolola Alamu, said the association needed to collaborate with the state government to  put the outbreak on check

“NAWOJ is campaigning against the spread of cholera because we don’t want the people of Oyo State to contract cholera and, thereby, spread it in the state,” she said.

Ms Alamu said in order to achieve this the association went around to educate food vendors on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene.

“We need a clean environment; we must ensure that food cooked for public consumption is done in a good environment and with clean water,” she said.

The chairperson also said that proactive approaches are necessary steps to ensure Ibadan residents are aware of cholera, going by the town’s proximity to Lagos, a state with high records of victims.

“There’s a need for urgent and proactive steps to ensure that everyone is aware of cholera, knowing what to do and what not to do.

“We picked food markets because many of the citizens buy cooked food to eat daily, and this is one of the fastest ways to contract cholera.

“We are educating food vendors to ensure that what they are selling is made with clean water and in a healthy environment,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chairwoman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Chapel, Dupe Fehintola, said educating the public on preventive measures against cholera was pivotal.

According to her, prevention is better than cure.

Ms Fehintola said she was surprised that some of the market men and women were not aware of the cholera outbreak in the nation.

She added that at the Okrika market, two women said they had taken it upon themselves for a while now to educate their colleagues on the importance of proper hygiene.

“The market men and women are now getting more informed about cholera as we furnished them with more information in a one-on-one talk,” she said.

The Federal Government has initiated discussions with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) to secure additional supplies of cholera vaccines.

Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), confirmed this in an interview with the newsmen, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Nigeria is grappling with a cholera outbreak amidst a global shortage of vaccines.

Idris noted that, recognising the urgent need for vaccines, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has entered into discussions with Gavi.

“Gavi, a global health partnership, plays a pivotal role in improving access to vaccines in low-income countries.

“Through these negotiations, Nigeria aims to secure an emergency supply of cholera vaccines to curb the outbreak.

“At present, cholera vaccines are not stocked in our public facilities, though they are available in limited quantities in the private sector.

“But vaccines alone are not the only preventative measures we have at the moment; we must also ensure environmental cleanliness and proper hand hygiene,” he explained.

He highlighted that globally, the demand for cholera vaccines has surged, leading to  severe shortage.

“This limited supply has strained efforts to control outbreaks in endemic regions, including Nigeria.

“Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food, remains a persistent health threat in Nigeria.

“The outbreak has significantly impacted several states, leading to numerous deaths and overwhelming healthcare facilities.

“Poor sanitation, inadequate clean water supply, and limited healthcare infrastructure have exacerbated  spread of the disease,” Idris explained.

In response to the crisis, he said the  NCDC has intensified its public health campaigns, emphasising hygiene practices and the importance of clean water.

“However, these measures alone are insufficient without adequate vaccination coverage. The shortage of vaccines has hampered mass immunisation campaigns, crucial for preventing  spread of cholera.

“The situation in Nigeria underscores broader issues of global health equity and preparedness. It highlights the necessity for increased investment in vaccine production and distribution infrastructure,” he stated.

Additionally, he called for stronger international collaboration to ensure that life-saving vaccines reached the most vulnerable populations in a timely manner.

In response to the escalating cholera outbreak in 31 states of the federation, he said the NCDC has activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate national efforts to combat the disease.

“The cholera outbreak is characterised by a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent,  significantly higher than the national expected average of one per cent,  underscoring  severity of the situation,” he said.

He said that Lagos accounted for the highest number of deaths with 29, followed by Rivers with eight, Abia and Delta with four each, Katsina with three, Bayelsa with two, and Kano, Nasarawa, and Cross River with one each.

“This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for a coordinated response to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

“Sixteen states accounted for 90 per cent  of the confirmed cases, with Lagos being the epicenter of the outbreak.

“Lagos state, having the highest number of cases, has received significant focus, with ongoing support and resources directed to manage the outbreak effectively,” he disclosed.

The states affected by cholera include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, the FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara.

He said that a  dynamic risk assessment conducted in May  by experts from various fields, including health, environment, agriculture, and water resources, underscored the multifaceted nature of cholera prevention and control.

“It is clear that an integrated approach is necessary to address the complex factors contributing to spread of cholera.

“Efforts should focus on improving water and sanitation infrastructure, promoting hygiene practices, and ensuring access to clean drinking water and safe food.

“Additionally, strengthening surveillance systems, enhancing healthcare delivery, and mobilising community engagement are critical steps we are using to manage and mitigate the outbreak,” he said.

As Nigeria continued to navigate this challenging period, he said  the resilience and collective action of all stakeholders would be crucial in overcoming the  epidemic and safeguarding the health and well-being of communities.

Since January 2023, there had  been 82 million doses requested from 15 countries, almost double the 46 million doses produced over the same period.

The global stockpile was depleted until early March 2024,  and currently has 3.2 million doses, far short of the five-dose goal.