The Plateau State government has warned citizens of the state that cholera remains a significant threat to human lives, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
Programme Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme, Jonathan Malann stated this while addressing journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Speaking further, Malann disclosed the state has taken a big step to prevent cholera outbreak in the state, following reports of the prevalence of the disease in 33 states across Nigeria.
“Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It remains a significant threat to health, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.
Malann identified common sources of cholera infection to include contamination of drinking water, uncooked food made with or washed with contaminated water, and seafood taken from contaminated water.
He emphasized that cholera is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease which is also preventable with the right measures.