…Poor hygiene cause of outbreak, says minister

In Lagos, a couple died on Sunday at the Isolo General Hospital, after contracting the disease.

Mr. Emeto and his wife, Augustina, their daughter and a neighbour were allegedly rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital in the wee hours of Sunday.

Besides the couple, another man and a three-year-old were said to have died aslo in Isolo area of Lagos, making four deaths.

It was gathered that the victims started stooling, vomiting and exhibiting other symptoms after eating African salad, popularly called Abacha.

The Nation reported yesterday that hospitals on Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, and environs were overfilled with cholera patients, an upsurge that started since October 9.

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A three-year-old died at the weekend in one of the hospitals on Ago Palace Way; a mother and her three children were also brought in unconscious to another private facility.

All the cases, sources said, were traceable to the consumption of the staple at Cele Bus Stop in the area.

Checks by our correspondent indicated that the Abacha seller at the bus stop had also been a contact point whenever there was a cholera outbreak in the state.

Abacha is a local delicacy made from fermented cassava and garnished with other ingredients like oil bean seeds, palm oil, potash, and garden eggs. However, there have been concerns about the hygiene condition during its preparation and at the point of sale.

The deaths of the Emetos, who were described as devoted Catholics, rattled fellow parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Isolo.

The residents have been advised to steer clear of the staple.

One of the voice notes shared by a man, identified simply as Romanus, confirmed the couple’s death.

He said: “Around 1 a.m (on Sunday), we got a call that we lost one of our brothers (Emeto). The report was that his wife and daughter were vomiting and stooling and he took them to the hospital.

“On getting to the hospital, he also started to stool and vomit. It was discovered that they ate Abacha on Saturday (said to have been) bought from a woman at Cele Bus Stop. The man died first and the body has been taken to the village.

“The daughter was treated.”

Another church member, who announced Mrs. Emeto’s death on Monday, said a neighbour who joined Mrs. Emeto in eating the staple also started to stool and vomit.

In Niger State, 16 persons have died out of the 165 recorded cases across the state, representing nine per cent mortality rate.

The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Dangana Ibrahim, announced the deaths in Minna, the state capital.

The commissioner said 145 patients had been treated and discharged from various hospitals.

“To prevent further spread, contingency measures have been implemented, including the distribution of essential medical supplies to affected areas and health facilities,” he said.

Ibrahim listed affected local government areas as Paiko, Gurara, Suleja, Bosso, and Katcha, saying the disease surveillance system had been activated.

The commissioner also said the government had begun active contact tracing and case management in all affected communities.

Also, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, attributed poor hygiene to cholera outbreaks.

Speaking at the Global Hand-washing Day in Abuja, the minister emphasised that inadequate sanitation and hand-washing habits put public health at serious risk.

He said: “Hand-washing with soap remains the first line of defence against outbreaks and reducing the spread of waterborne diseases.”

The minister called for accelerated investment in hygiene infrastructure in homes, schools, and public spaces to close existing gaps.

According to him, better hygiene practices are essential to improving health outcomes, reducing school absenteeism, and boosting productivity.

The Nation