By Anietie Akpan
Akwa Ibom state government has raised the alarm of the possible outbreak of cholera in the state.
The government warned that the state is prone to its threat hence residents should be aware.
In a press release from the EARCOM Media Unit, Chairman of the State Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission, EARCOM, Dr Dorothy Thompsont said at least 30 people have been killed by the infection in Lagos the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria from which more than 10,00 persons make trips into Akwa Ibom State daily Dr Thompson observed.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Saturday, the EARCOM boss tasked health workers and community leaders “to monitor the possible outbreak in any part of the state”, even as she tasked citizens with measures to prevent the disease.
While acknowledging that the spread of the disease can be enhanced by the heavy seasonal rains and the scarcity of clean water, Dr Thompson however explained that “it is easily preventable with clean water, constant hand washing, proper sanitation, good personal and food hygiene practices”.
She frowned against open defecation even as she decried the anomaly that in many places access to toilets is rare and open-air sewers can easily be washed by flood leaving everyone at risk.
While tasking the authorities to clamp down on compounds without proper toilet or sewage systems, Dr Thompson also advised people to as much as possible stay away from buying and taking hawked fruits for now and locally made fruit drinks such as tiger nut, zobo which they do not know how it was processed, adding that eating warm foods and covering leftovers is highly recommended for one to stay safe.
She called on churches, schools, community-based town criers and media houses to join the sensitisation campaign to ensure the state is safe.
