Following the outbreak of cholera in Lagos State, the Director, Environmental Health in the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Akeem Olaewe has urged residents of the state to heed the directive, control and prevention measures by government to curtail the spread of the disease.
Olaewe gave the address while addressing newsmen on Sunday, during the decontamination and fumigation of hostels in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
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The intervention becomes important in preparation for the NYSC 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Orientation Course.
He said that the government through the Ministry had embarked on sensitisation and public awareness campaigns across the state.
He said that residents had been alerted and urged to be wary of the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state.
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He urged everyone to embrace wholesome hygienic practices.
Olaewe said that all practices such as open defecation, drinking untreated water from unclean sources, improper disposal of refuse and washing of hands without soap must be stopped.
According to him, this is because cholera only thrives in unhygienic conditions.
He appealed to members of the public to ensure that proper toilet facilities are provided in residences and when people are outdoors, public or mobile toilets must be used.
Olaewe also urged residents to properly bag and dispose of their refuse through Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) approved PSP operators, to prevent flies from feasting on the wastes.
He listed some of the measures put in place for public awareness and campaign on cholera prevention to include door to door sensitisation around neighbourhoods and estates by environmental health officers.
Others are public awareness campaigns to markets, schools, NYSC camps, public places, police barracks, and motor parks among others.
The environmental health officer said that awareness campaigns are also being stepped up in the mass media through jingles in English, Yoruba and Pidgin, to drive the message to the hinterlands.
