The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has launched an urgent water quality analysis in response to a cholera outbreak in several states, which has resulted in the death of 30 individuals.
The cholera epidemic underscores the gravity of the situation, as the disease, caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, spreads rapidly through contaminated water or food.
Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi FCNA, the Permanent Secretary, issued a statement, expressing the Ministry’s concern and sympathy for the families affected by the outbreak. Shinkafi emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further fatalities.
The Ministry has mobilized teams from the National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Lagos, Enugu, and Sokoto to collect water samples and detect the presence of the Vibrio cholerae bacterium in the affected areas.
Additionally, the Ministry, through the WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group (WiETWG), is coordinating with States’ Technical Working Groups and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSAs) to address the outbreak comprehensively.
Prior to the outbreak, the National WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group had trained state-level working groups on cholera preparedness, prevention, and response strategies, including hygiene promotion and water safety planning. These states are now intensifying their efforts to educate communities about cholera prevention and combat open defecation, a known transmission route for the disease.
The Ministry has advised the public to take preventive measures, such as boiling or treating drinking water, washing hands with soap and clean water, washing fruits and vegetables with safe water, and seeking medical attention immediately if cholera symptoms appear.
The Ministry will continue to update the public in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the situation develops, reinforcing its commitment to preventing further loss of life and overcoming this public health challenge.
