The chairmen of local government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ikorodu division of Lagos state have embarked on intensive sensitisation against cholera outbreak among residents.

The chairmen directed the environment department in the various councils to take up the sensitisation to curtail spread of the disease.

They disclosed this in separate interviews with journalists. 

The Ikorodu division, made up of  one local council and four LCDAs,  which include Ikorodu Central LG,  Ijede, Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Ikorodu West, Imota, and Ikorodu North LCDAs, through its health education and promotion board, inaugurated a standing committee on sensitisation of cholera in Ikorodu.

The Lagos state commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi, on June 11, warned that the state had recorded many cases of severe gastroenteritis (Cholera).

Mr Abayomi disclosed that cases of severe gastroenteritis were reported from communities around Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Kosofe Local Government Areas of the state.

Wasiu Adesina, chairman of Ikorodu Local Government Area, advised residents to take preventive measures against cholera seriously.

He directed heads of environment departments in the councils to set aside two days for cholera sensitisation.

The council boss said the disease was basically caused by what we eat and inject into our body systems and urged residents to ensure their source of water was safe and the environment clean.

According to him, some of the preventive measures will include ensuring safe drinking water by boiling, safe bottle water, maintaining proper sanitation, and safely disposing of faeces.

“I advised residents to adhere to measures and be careful with what they eat or drink, which is the primary cause of cholera.

“If all these measures are strictly obeyed, cholera outbreak will be curtailed in Ikorodu and Lagos State as whole and the country,” he said.

Also, Sesan Daini, chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, advised residents to stop open defecation, practise personal hygiene by washing hands with soap regularly.

He also said there was need to ensure food safety by covering food against flies and to thoroughly wash fruits before consumption.

Mr Daini warned that residents found engaging in open defecation would be made to face the law, to serve as deterrent to others.

“Cholera is a disease caused by bad hygiene and poor environmental sanitation.

“Preventive measures must be  enforced to curtail spread and prevent further outbreak,” he said.

Kazeem Sulaimon, chairman Ikorodu West LCDA, said that markets, abattoirs and every nook and cranny of Ikorodu must be visited to further enlighten  people about cholera and its prevention.

(NAN)