Cholera Spread: Ogun Announces Preventive Measures In School As Fear Of Outbreak Rises Among Pupils

As the schools resume from the mid-term break and the Sallah holiday on Wednesday, there are fears the pupils may be at risk of contracting cholera, a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the vibrio cholera bacteria.

Hence, the Ogun State Government has directed school heads to ensure the good health and safety of all learners and staff to prevent the spread of cholera within the school communities.

The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, stated this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

He explained that preventive measures had been put in place to control the spread of the disease in schools in the state.

According to him, the measures take effect from Wednesday, as schools resume from the mid-term break and the Eid el-Kabir holiday.

READ: Cholera: We’re Prepared To Tackle Possible Outbreak – Ondo Govt

He listed some of the measures to include comprehensive health talks on cholera prevention, information on symptoms, transmission routes, proper hand hygiene, and safe drinking water practices.

Other measures, he added, are to ensure the availability of clean water and soap for hand washing on school premises, and encourage regular hand washing, especially before eating and after using the restroom.

He also directed school heads to promote the use of hand sanitisers with at least 60 percent alcohol content as support for hand washing.

There should also be regular inspection and maintenance of water sources within school premises to ensure they are safe for drinking, the commissioner also directed.

“Monitor closely the food vendors and ensure that they collect letters from health facilities, certifying their fitness for the job,” he added.

Mr Arigbabu explained that there would be designated health officers in schools to monitor learners and staff for any symptoms of cholera.

He also directed school heads to report any suspected cases immediately to the nearest health centre and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.

“By adhering strictly to these preventive measures and maintaining a high level of vigilance, we can collectively safeguard our health and wellbeing during this critical period,” he added.