By Haruna Gimba
The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has provided tips necessary for self and community protection against the current cholera outbreak.
The tips from the Director General of the Centre, Professor Muhammad Abbas, was a rider on the pieces of advice given by the state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf on hygienical use of rainwater by the people of the state.
He called on the people of Kano state to accord issue of cholera with seriousness due to its heinous consequences in the society.
A press release from the Information Officer of the ministry, Ibrahim Abdullahi, quoted Professor Abbas as saying cholera becomes worrisome in many states of the country, hence, though not found in Kano, yet people were strongly advised to take proactive measures to set the state free of negativity of the dreaded disease.
The director general explained that the commonest identified symptoms of cholera are diarrhea, vomiting and rapid dehydration, advising that whoever is spotted with any or all of the symptoms should be rushed to the nearest health facility.
Prof. Abbas emphasized that people must take timely actions to avert cholera outbreak in the state through frequent wash of hands with soap and water, drinking safe water and avoid contaminated sources of water including the rainwater.
The rest, said he, include avoiding close contact with people showing symptoms of the cholera, storing food appropriately and washing hands before and after using toilets.
Prof. Abbas also emphasized that people should develop habit of staying safe with good hygiene as additional protection against cholera through using of proper toilet, hygienical dispose of waste as well as washing hands with soap and water before handling food.
According to him, food should be thoroughly cooked and safely stored, raw and cooked seafood be avoided while fruits and vegetables must be adequately washed with clean water before use.
He assured people of the state that his agency is ready through the support of the ministry, “to focus on any public disease that may cause havoc to socioeconomic wellbeing of the people of the state.”
