On Saturday, Oyo State declared there is no record of Cholera infections anywhere on its shores.
Dr. Iyabo Kareem, an Oyo Epidemiologist, stated that while there were seven suspected reported cases, the sample sent to the laboratory for testing confirmed that five of the findings published thus far have been negative.
She said that, while the state is still waiting for the remaining two results, steps have been taken to guarantee that suspected cases of severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and/or stooling are swiftly reported.
She said, the Ministry of Health in conjunction with lone ministries, partners and collaborators have heightened sensitisation and awareness across the state so that suspected cases are promptly reported.
Explaining the measures put in place by the state, she said the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC), Olodo has been reactivated and put on high alert, noting that suspected cases are been moved there while also assuring that possible cases will also be treated there.
Kareem said: “What we have recently is suspected cases of cholera. We had seven suspected cases. We have received laboratory report of five persons which came out negative.
“We have yet to get two results as I speak with you. There is no confirmed case of cholera in Oyo state as I speak with you.
“However, we are mindful that since the case has been reported in Lagos and Ogun state and due to the proximity of Oyo to the two states that have recorded the case and because of movement of people from the two states, we are putting up serious measures to enaure it didn’t come up here.
“Oyo state is not relaxing and we are strengthening our detection system. We have strengthen strong surveillance and reporting system. We are sensitising health workers to know case definition and identification.
“In the communities, we are sensitising our people to report acute diarrhoea and vomiting. We have at least ten community voluteers across all the 351 wards of the state who are helping us monitor and survey the neighbourhood.
“Even before cases were reported in Lagos and Ogun state, we have trained our Rapid Response Officers on surveillance.
“To aid testing in our laboratories, we have position our consumables, testing materials to various labs so that we can test any sample taken to them as fast and quick as possible.”
She added: “In prevention and control, we have also made provisions for our health officers so that they don’t fall victim during the course of duty.
“On risk communication, we have distributed Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials to sensitise and educate members of the communities and people in the rural areas.
“We have also rolled out jingles on cholera both in English and Yoruba languages in the media and even social media to sensitise people on how to avoid cholera as well as where to report suspected cases.
“We have also told people about sanitation because cholera is prone in dirty environment and areas where hygiene is not taken seriously.
“We are encouraging people to take care of their personal health, environment and hygiene. We are telling them how to protect their food, how to get clean water and how to ensure their food is well cooked. We are also encouraging them yo wash their fruits well on their own before eating.
“We are also discouraging people from taking prepared drinks such as locally made kunu, tiger nut, zoo, pito among others that the source of water for preparing them are not certain.
“We are telling them that they must ensure that they patronise only approved food vendors.
“On the children, we are telling them that it is food that they pack their foods for them to school and not ask them to eat out.
“We have reactivated the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo where suspected cases are managed and when there is any confirmation, we will also treat them there.
“We are working with other line ministries including Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Water Resources, Oyo RUWASSA, World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and other partners.”