Ibadan Southwest Local Government Residents Must Be Awake to the Reality of the Cholera Outbreak and Prevent It- Oyo Lawmaker, Yusuf Adebisi

As cholera cases continue to rise in parts of Nigeria, Ibadan Southwest state constituency 1 lawmaker at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Yusuf Adebisi have call all relevant agency for increased focus on children in the cholera response and redoubles support to concerned governments in the cholera response.

Honourable Adebisi said he has issued a call for heightened vigilance and the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a potential cholera outbreak in the Ibadan Southwest constituency 1 as this call is necessary having aware some part of the constituency which are still remote.

“Before now, we have provided borehole water pumps to all the six wards of the constituency and handed it over to each of the community leaders in all these areas but we must again call for serious precautions especially as this epidemic have spread in Lagos State and Ibadan next to Lagos, some our people still go to streams especially the children to play and that makes us activate an awareness among our people and heightened surveillance through our scouts and medical personnel in our community health care centers”.

It will be recalled that Nigeria reported over 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states in Nigeria.

The lawmaker, Yusuf Adebisi noted that following recent rains, urban slums and crowded areas with poor sanitation are particularly at risk sometimes and can be noticed in some part of the Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1.

He explained that cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and can be life-threatening, adding that it poses a significant health burden in areas with poor water treatment and sanitation, and could impact Lagos State.

“Cholera spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of handwashing. Symptoms of cholera include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscle cramps, fever and sometimes collapse”, he said.

According to him, treatment options for cholera include rehydration using Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) for mild to moderate dehydration. Intravenous Fluids is used for severely dehydrated patients given only in medical facilities and supervised by medical personnel.

“To prevent cholera, citizens are urged to ensure safe drinking water by boiling, chlorinating, or using bottled water, and avoiding ice products made from untreated water. Maintaining proper sanitation by using toilets, safely disposing of faeces, and avoiding open defecation is crucial.

Practising good hygiene, such as washing hands with soap and clean water regularly, especially before eating, preparing food, and after using the toilet, is essential and following food safety guidelines”, He advised.