On the Cholera Epidemic in Nigeria

A Child with Cholera

In light of the current cholera epidemic in Nigeria which, unfortunately, has afflicted at least 373 people (causing 74 deaths), The Wellbeing Foundation wishes to share information with all and sundry, from individuals to government bodies, on the public health issue of cholera, and why we urgently need to get the epidemic under control, including through easily achievable steps.
Cholera is an infectious disease caused by a tiny germ called Vibrio cholerae, which is spread through the faeco-oral route to cause disease. In other words, one can only contact cholera if one ingests (directly or indirectly) droppings from an infected person’s stool. As expected, this is almost always indirectly, through hand-contact (either directly with food, or indirectly with the hand of another person, as through hand-shaking, for instance).

The current Nigeria epidemic has hit several States across geographical zones that are not directly contiguous. Therefore, this brings up the critical importance for all persons to be cautious by:

• Stopping all open defaecation
• Washing hands with soap and running water, after every defaecation/urination episode (going to the toilet)
• Washing hands, from fingertips up to the elbow, with soap and running water before and after every meal, including light snacks and drinks
• Keeping fingernails clipped
• Replace oral fluids (ORS-Zinc combinations) to any tolerant patient who has been vomiting/stooling, and immediately transfer a patient with recurrent watery stools (‘rice water stools’) to the nearest health officer/facility
• Ensuring that children are aware of the above hygiene practices, and it is every caregiver’s (mothers, fathers, domestic helps, teachers) responsibility to make children observe them

Governments (especially State and local governments) also have a critical role to play, across all sectors, without isolating the health sector. Water supplies must be well managed, and sanitation and refuse management must be efficiently & effectively managed, as well. There must be broad-level advocacy and communications messaging, especially in local language, to encourage healthy and hygienic behaviours among the population, especially those in the endemic zones.

Signed:
Communications
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa
Email: communications@wellbeingfoundationnig.org
Web: www.wbfafrica.org