Following reports of the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country, Lagos State Government has alerted residents to be wary of a possible outbreak in the state.
The government in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, said residents must not wait until the state records cholera outbreak before they take preventive measures.
He noted that the present administration is very mindful of the large population of the state, and has embarked on several sensitisation campaigns to enlighten residents on the dangers of a cholera outbreak.
Bello added that since cholera only thrives in unhygienic conditions, all practices such as open defecation, drinking untreated water from unclean sources, improper disposal of refuse and not washing hands with soap always must be stopped.
The commissioner appealed to members of the public to own the process by ensuring that proper toilet facilities are provided in residences, and when outdoors, public toilets or mobile toilets must be used.
Bello added that all tenements and property owners must prevent exposure of loose refuse and that they are not only properly bagged but disposed through approved PSP operators to prevent flies from feasting on them.
He listed the measures to include door- to-door sensitisation campaign round neighbourhood and estates by environmental sanitation officers and public awareness campaign to markets, public places and parks.
The commissioner stated 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.
He warned that the state environmental police, which is also known as the Task Force Against Open Defecation has been empowered to step up its monitoring activities and apprehend anyone caught defecating in open places.
