Lagos State Government has alerted residents of possible cholera outbreak in the state.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, who conveyed this in a statement,said residents must not wait until the state records cholera outbreak before they take preventive measures.
He disclosed that the current administration is aware of the huge population of the state, and has embarked on several sensitisation campaigns to enlighten residents on the dangers of a cholera outbreak.
He added that since cholera only grows in unhygienic conditions, all practices such as open defecation, drinking untreated water from unclean sources, improper disposal of refuse and not washing hands with soap always must be stopped.
The commissioner implored members of the public to own the process by ensuring that proper toilet facilities are provided in residences, and when outdoors, public toilets or mobile toilets must be used.
According to him, all tenements and property owners must prevent exposure of loose refuse and that they are not only properly bagged but disposed through approved PSP operators to prevent flies from feasting on them.
He mentioned the measures to include door- to-door sensitisation campaign round neighbourhood and estates by environmental sanitation officers and public awareness campaign to markets, public places and parks.
He added that awareness campaigns are also being stepped up in the mass media through jingles in English, Yoruba and pidgin to drive the message to the hinterlands.
Meanwhile,the Lagos State Government will today (Monday) resume the administration of second dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to persons, who have received the first dose of the vaccine during the first phase of vaccination.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
The statement said:“The administration of the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine will hold across 88 vaccination sites used during the first phase of the vaccination for 20 days between August 30 and September 24.It is pertinent to note that only persons, who have taken the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are due for the second dose, are eligible for this exercise.
“Citizens, who have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and due for a second dose, are encouraged to report to the vaccination sites, where they received the first to get their second jab.It is important to note that mixing one brand of vaccine with another in this exercise is not allowed. Those, who have received AstraZeneca as the first dose, should receive AstraZeneca as the second dose, while those who have received Moderna as the first dose will receive Moderna as the second dose when due.”
Ogunbanwo disclosed that the state government was working with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to ensure that there was no confusion at the vaccination centres.
