NOA attributes cholera outbreak in A’Ibom to poor sanitation

Ini Billie, Uyo

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has attributed the cholera outbreak in Akwa Ibom State to a lack of water and poor sanitation.

State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, warned Akwa Ibom residents against open defecation and poor personal hygiene.

Speaking on Monday in Uyo, Mkpoutom who explained that cholera could be prevented as it is not an airborne disease, advised people to report any outbreak to health officials to ensure prompt response.

“We want to advise our people against any further disease outbreak.

“We have to be cautious especially those living in the coastal communities, the water they drink, sanitation is important when it comes to the issue of cholera.

“Everyone should have a good toilet system, we have to discourage open defecation and we need to keep where we live clean and we thank the State Government for the quick response,” he stated.

A few cases of cholera outbreak with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the fishing community of Emeroke, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area was announced last week by Dr Patrick Essiet, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health.

Essiet said in response, the government dispatched the state epidemiologist to the community for enlightenment campaigns on ways to mitigate the outbreak.

The NOA Director warned residents against scooping petrol from crashed petrol tankers to guard against loss of life and property.

He cautioned against the indiscriminate location of gas stations in residential areas, saying it poses a danger to the people and urged operators to abide by the government guidelines.