The Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria has issued a public advisory regarding the cholera outbreak in the country.

The President of the academy, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, said in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday that the advisory became necessary due to the rainy season, which could cause flooding and contaminate water sources.

He, therefore, stressed the need for increased public awareness, provision of clean water, improved sanitation, early treatment, effective coordination of resources and vaccination with the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV).

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had announced cholera outbreak in some states, reporting that as at June 24, there were 1,528 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 53 deaths across 107 local government areas in 31 states.

The academy boss, therefore, emphasised the importance of research and data-driven solutions, increased funding and immediate release of allocated funds for public health emergencies.

He suggested active disease surveillance, quick identification of cases and effective risk communication strategies to control and manage the situation.

He reiterated the commitment of the academy to partnering government health agencies to rapidly control the outbreak.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the organism Vibrio Cholerae in contaminated water and food.

The sources and activities that can lead to cholera transmission are: water that is contaminated by the faeces of infected individuals, and contamination of drinking water at source, during transportation, or during storage.

Foods contaminated by soiled hands, either during preparation or while eating.

Beverages prepared with contaminated water and sold by street vendors, and even commercial bottled water have also been implicated as vehicles of transmission.

Unsafe practices, such as improper disposal of refuse and open defecation, can  endanger the safety of water used for drinking and for personal use.

People of all ages living in places with limited access to clean water, areas with poor sanitation and poor hygiene, and slum areas where basic water or sanitation infrastructure is missing can also lead to transmission of the disease, among others.

(NAN)