Cholera outbreak: Refer suspected cases to government hospitals, Oyo tells residents

The Oyo government has called on residents and medical practitioners to refer suspected cases of cholera to government hospitals.

Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, Mufutau Ayoola, Oyo commissioner for health, advised residents to avoid drinking water from questionable sources such as streams and wells that have been polluted by floodwater.

He said the disease surveillance and notification officers in the 33 LGAs of the state have been put on alert to institute preventive measures and embark on sensitisation of health professionals in public and private hospitals to promptly respond to the outbreak of cholera in the event of occurrence.

“The state ministry of health wishes to draw the attention of the members of the public to the need to prevent the outbreak of cholera among the populace,” he said.

“Cholera is a water-borne illness which is highly contagious. It is an infection that is transmitted from person to person through faeces oral route, that is, through eating food or drinking of water contaminated by faeces, especially where the source of drinking water has been polluted by flooding in unprotected wells, as well as attending a large gathering of people during ceremonies, and making contact with persons with cholera or who died of cholera.

“Members of the public are hereby implored to avoid dumping of faeces and refuse into streams and rivers. Suspected individuals should be referred to the nearest government hospitals for free and quality care service.”

The commissioner also gave out two mobile numbers — 09058704101 and 08025245809 — for members of the public to report suspected cases in their communities.