The Ekiti State Government has put citizens on red alert as five suspected cases of cholera have been confirmed in Moba Local Government Area of the state.
The cases were detected by community informants who reported to the local government health authorities.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services in the State, Dr. Oyebanji Filani in a statement on Friday highlighted the possibility of an outbreak of the disease in some other local governments adding that active case finding have commenced across all local government.
“Given the risk of this outbreak escalating rapidly across the state, the Ministry of Health has commenced active case finding across all LGAs. State surveillance teams have been deployed to support the outbreak response at the LGA level”.
“These teams are actively searching for and investigating suspected cases in health facilities, informal treatment centers, and within communities.”
The Ministry said it has also intensified action to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the possible outbreak through the provision of medical and laboratory supplies for case detection and management, rapid scale-up of risk communications, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH activities.
The state government has consequently advised residents to be on guard, visit nearest health facilities at the slightest symptoms and report suspected cases to appropriate authorities.
“Considering the link between cholera, water, sanitation and hygiene, a multi-sectoral team comprising of the State Ministries of Environment and Public Utilities has been set up with a meeting held among the Ministries’ and Commissioners on the 23rd of September 2021.
This multi-sectoral team will support LGAs to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the possible outbreak.
“It is very important to visit a health facility if symptoms of cholera such as watery diarrhea and vomiting are observed,” Filani added.
The commissioner equally asked members of the public to be aware of the risk of the disease and adhere to prescribed preventive measures.
