Cholera Vigilance in Enugu At Its Peak–Epidemiologist

Enugu State’s epidemiologist, Dr Ogbodo Okechukwu, says the state is committed  to preventing and preparing for potential cholera outbreaks in Enugu State, South-Eastern, Nigeria.

Okechukwu spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on the sidelines of the Training Workshop to Support States’ Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergency Working Group in Enugu.

He said that “the state had adopted a proactive approach, focusing on public awareness through communication and education regarding hygiene practices and the significance of consuming clean, potable water.”

Okechukwu, who is also a Consultant Public Health Physician, said that the state government prioritised disease prevention, promptly responding to suspected cases by isolating individuals and reporting to national authorities for further investigation.

According to him, the last recorded incident of cholera epidemic dates back to 2022, with no reported outbreaks during subsequent rainy seasons.

Highlighting the state’s preparedness efforts as cost-effective, Okechukwu noted the relatively minimal impact of last year’s cholera cases compared to other states in the federation.

Anti-defecation Laws

He said that through engaging stakeholders and enforcing anti-defecation laws, the government had also taken measures to improve water infrastructure, including the drilling of boreholes and repairing pipes.

According to him, the government is pumping over 70 million litres of water daily.

“The state has also implemented a community informant system, empowering local members to actively survey and report potential cases, particularly instances of abnormal stooling.’’

Okechukwu said that since taking charge, major incidents of Lassa fever and cholera had significantly reduced.

He added that in partnership with the federal government, the state actively sought antiviral drugs for Lassa fever treatment and registered healthcare workers digitally.

The public health expert said that “the emphasis on prevention and swift response had remained central to the  state’s strategy, effectively curtailing the spread of contagious diseases.”

NAN reports that the WASH in Emergency Working Group was established in 2012, when the country experienced a serious devastating flood that affected 85 million people from 14 states.

The group has since remained active, especially in the North-East, where IDPs exist and have responded immediately on outbreaks.

The membership cuts across WASH sector players from Institutions, Development Partners, International and Local NGOs, and CSOs responding to WASH issues in the country, with UNICEF as its co-lead

NAN/Shakirat Sadiq