Chioma Umeha
The Federal Capital Territory Administration
(FCTA) has warned residents to desist from open defecation to prevent cholera
in the territory.
The Director, Public Health, Health and Human
Services Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Humphrey Okoroukwu, gave the warning in a
statement on Friday in Abuja.
Okoroukwu disclosed that seven deaths have so far
been recorded from cholera outbreak in four communities of Sauka, Mpape, Kubwa
village and Ushafa.
He, however, explained that open defecation was
one of the causes that predisposes some residents to cholera, which affected
some communities in the territory.
“People should stop defecating in open places,
especially around the river banks to prevent infectious diseases like cholera.
”Residents are advised to have toilets in their
homes and those who cannot afford Water Closet should endeavour to have pit
latrines to avoid outbreak of cholera,” he said.
The director said that cholera outbreak was common
during the rainy season, and stressed the need for residents to take necessary
precautions.
He said that cholera outbreak occurred mainly in
rural communities that had no access to potable water.
Okoroukwu also enjoined FCT residents to treat
their drinkable water and ensure that it was free of any contamination.
He advised residents to take sick persons with
symptoms of cholera immediately to nearby healthcare facility or hospital,
pointing out that timeliness is of essence.
