The director of public health in the Borno Ministry of Health, Goni Imam, says there is no confirmed case of cholera in the state.

Mr Imam made this known on Friday in an interview with journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital.

“In Borno, we have not recorded any confirmed cases of cholera.

“There are some cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, but the evaluation and tests conducted turn out to be negative,” Mr Imam said.

He, however, said the state had activated its Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, while a surveillance system was also put in place at the state and local government levels.

“We have our community mobilisers busy educating the people on cholera, its causes and preventive measures.

“We have also liaised with other agencies, like the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), on safe water supply and environmental sanitation.

“My message to the public is that they should be aware of the cholera outbreak in the country and the need to improve their sanitary hygiene and avoid eating raw food, particularly where it’s not properly washed,” he said.

Mr Imam also urged parents and guardians to ensure they prepare food for children going to school instead of allowing them to buy and eat food outside, particularly raw food. 

(NAN)