Borno, Adamawa, Yobe take measures against spread of water, airborne diseases
Health authorities and other stakeholders in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have continued to take measures to check outbreak of water and airborne diseases.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that for the first time in many years, the outbreak of cholera during rainy seasons in the states, particularly in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, has been contained.
Dr Mohammed Ghuluze, the Borno Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, told NAN that measures had been taken to promote public health and safety and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases and other environmental hazards through massive sensitisation.
Ghuluze said that the sensitization was being done through radio jingles in various languages designed to promote healthy behaviours and hygiene.
He explained that the state government had, through the relevant ministry, constructed many new boreholes and rehabilitated old ones to ensure potable water in many communities.
“The spread of viral infections, vector-borne, water-borne and air-borne infections usually increase during this period due to this weather condition associated with climate change.
“Similarly, the outbreak of diarrhea, Cholera, malaria and Hepatitis A and E as well as other diseases occurs due to contaminated drinking water or fecal-oral route, in liaison with the absence of safe water and cleanliness.
“Immunization is therefore very essential to fight against any outbreaks.
“Mass measles immunization and vitamin A supplements are an instantaneous approach for health disaster preparedness,” Ghuluze said.
In Adamawa, the Commissioner for Health, Mr Felix Tangwami, said the ministry had trained 1,565 health personnel on preventive and the curative measures on air and waterborne diseases.
Tangwami said that government had also put necessary machineries for rapid response in case of any outbreak.
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He said that last year, 40 cases of Cholera was recorded but no single life was lost due to the rapid response from the government.
According to him, a Health Council had been constituted by the state government to be advising government and reporting issues on health matters for immediate action.
“We have also intensified efforts on provision of safe and clean water as well as observance of the monthly Environmental Sanitation Day,” Tangwami.
In Yobe, an environmental health expert with the state Environmental Protection Agency, Mr Hashim Saleh, called for the closure of shallow wells to mitigate outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
“Most of our wells are shallow and can easily be contaminated with pathogens, including bacteria, fungal, parasites and so on,” Saleh said
Borno, Adamawa, Yobe take measures against spread of water, airborne diseases
