In an effort to combat the spread of cholera, the Federal Government has called for increased environmental health surveillance at locations where food and beverages are sold nationwide.
Issuing the directive in a statement on Monday in Abuja, Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako emphasized the importance of scaling up surveillance in places such as markets, garages, schools, restaurants, stadia, as well as religious and sporting event venues.
These measures are aimed at preventing further transmission of cholera and enhancing disease prevention and control.
The Minister also appealed to all Commissioners for Environment and Local Government Chairpersons to provide support to environmental health officers across the country in boosting sanitation and hygiene practices through community-led total sanitation initiatives.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration with health authorities and other stakeholders in alignment with the federal government’s one health approach.
In order to prevent further transmission of the disease, arrangements have been put in place to assist the most affected states with chlorine solutions or tablets, as well as resources for water and food testing.
Salako highlighted data from a recent report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which showed 1,159 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths in 30 states.
The states with the highest number of cases, accounting for 90% of the total, include Bayelsa, Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta, and Katsina.
He mentioned that the Ministry, through the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), has been actively engaged in efforts to limit the spread of the disease.
These efforts include water and food testing to identify infection sources, environmental sanitation campaigns, and household water chlorination.