• Experts call for water quality testing in Lagos, Ogun
• FG in talks with GAVI on vaccines, says NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced an increase in the death toll and spread of cholera across 32 states and 115 local councils of the federation.
 
NCDC Deputy Director of Surveillance and National Incident Manager, Dr Muntari Hassan, said 54 deaths and 1,579 suspected cases had been documented since the beginning of the year.
 

On Monday, the agency announced 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cases of cholera across 31 states and 107 local councils, a fatality rate of 3.5 per cent.
  
Nigeria has been placed on high risk for increased cholera transmission and impact owing to the rainy season.

CONSEQUENTLY, the Society for Testing Laboratory Analysts of Nigeria (SoTLAN) has urged the government to conduct comprehensive water quality testing in affected areas in Lagos and Ogun states. 
 
President of SoTLAN, Prof Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, in a statement, disclosed: “Under IPAN Act, CAP 116 LFN, formerly Decree No 100 of 1992, certified public analysts are the only professionals authorised to carry out water and food testing and to confirm they are wholesome for public consumption or otherwise.”
 

“To address the urgent and growing public anxiety due to outbreak of cholera, the government should mobilise public analysts to conduct thorough testing of water sources, including wells, boreholes and municipal supplies in all the affected areas.” 
 
According to him, the involvement of certified public analysts is, therefore, crucial in guiding the ongoing discourse and implementation of remedial measures, including disinfection, provision of safe drinking water and public sensitisation to the predisposing factors after analysis.
 
He asserted SoTLAN’s confidence that with proper engagement and support, professional certified public analysts could play a key role in helping to contain the outbreak and preventing future occurrences. 
 
“Collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Water Resources as well as public analysts is needed to ensure a coordinated and effective response to this current cholera disease outbreak”.

“Government should intensify awareness campaigns to educate the public about steps on how to protect themselves during this outbreak,” he said.
 
In her contribution, the Chief Executive of Alfa Laboratories Limited, Chogwu Akoh, who is also the Publicity Secretary of SoTLAN, stated:
“Residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves against cholera by ensuring that all drinking water is boiled or treated before consumption.
 
“Citizens must regularly wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water, especially before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, and wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.”

MEANWHILE, the Federal Government has initiated discussions with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) to secure additional cholera vaccines.
 
Lagos is tackling an outbreak of cholera, with other states recording cases as well.
 
Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Director-General of NCDC, Jide Idris, said recognising the urgent need for vaccines, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, entered into discussions with GAVI.
 
“GAVI, a global health partnership, plays a pivotal role in improving access to vaccines in low-income countries,” he said. “Through these negotiations, Nigeria aims to secure an emergency supply of cholera vaccines to curb the outbreak.
 
“At present, cholera vaccines are not stocked in our public facilities, though they are available in limited quantities in the private sector. But vaccines are not the only preventative measures we have at the moment; we must also ensure environmental cleanliness and proper hand hygiene.”

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