Cholera: CMD tasks Ondo residents on hygiene

Dr Akintunde Ogunfeyimi, Chief Medical Director (CMD) Ondo Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, has tasked residents of the state to imbibe hygienic living to tackle cholera.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cholera has hit no fewer than 22 states in Nigeria with about 300 deaths recorded from the recent outbreak.

Ogunfeyimi told NAN on Friday that cholera is a water-borne bacterial disease causing severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

He added that cholera persists during the rainy season as a result of the washing of accumulated dirt into the river and other sources of drinking water.

The CMD also blamed the outbreak of cholera on open defecation, poor sanitation, an unhygienic environment and drinking of unclean water among others.

According to him, cholera is fatal if not treated early because it causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

“People need to imbibe hygienic living and maintain a very clean environment to wage war against the killer disease called cholera,” Ogunfeyimi said.

The CMD said Okitipupa Local Government Area and its environs have not recorded any case of cholera.

He, however, urged the residents to report to a government hospital in case of symptoms of diarrhoea and dehydration.