The Ogun State Government has informed locals about the cholera epidemic in Ijebu North Local Government Area.
Dr. Tomi Coker, the special advisor to Governor Dapo Abiodun on health, observed that cholera typically strikes during the rainy seasons and may also be linked to unsanitary living conditions and personal hygiene.
Coker encouraged residents of Ogun to “notify the LGA DSNO (08069788449) and report all cases of stooling with or without vomiting to government health facilities.”
She urged the people of Ogun to be cautious about the food and water they consume; also pointing out that feces-contaminated water or food is what causes cholera.
Recent deadly floods in Nigeria, which have displaced millions, have led to the increase in cholera cases and other preventable diseases.
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Thirteen states have reported suspected cases in 2023. These are Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age groups below 5 years are mostly affected; followed by the age groups above 45 years in aggregate of both males and females
More frequent droughts and flooding coupled with a global economic crisis has led to increasing food insecurity. More than 1 million children in the northeast are expected to suffer from acute food insecurity this year. This will make them more susceptible to succumbing to diseases like cholera.
