Ogun State - Ogun Curtails Outbreak Of Gastroenteritis

[OgunState]

 Ogun state Government has allayed the fear of the public concerning the outbreak of gastroenteritis as necessary measures have been put in place to curtail the disease.The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka who disclosed this at a press conference in Abeokuta said that some communities in Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas were identified as being the source, attributing it to poor environmental hygiene in the areas.

Soyinka stated that the sudden upsurge of gastroenteritis in some communities in Abeokuta, was first noted on Friday, July 5 with some severe cases reported at the State Hospital while the State and Local Government officials swung into action immediately to trace the source of the outbreak with the provision of life-saving treatment for admitted patients. "At the State Hospital, government mobilized emergency supplies and provided free emergency care for patients admitted with gastroenteritis.

In the affected communities, awareness activities commenced with the distribution of leaflets and sensitization talks on causes and preventions of gastroenteritis. Local health workers were put on the alert", Soyinka submitted.

He further stated that officials of the State Water Board also took samples of the water for testing, which confirmed high levels of germs associated with faecal contamination in the water"Although the majority of patients tested were shown not to be suffering from Cholera, there were two confirmed cases at the time. The measures taken have so far contained the outbreak which has now subsided", he stated.

The Commissioner said the outbreak was due to the poor faecal waste management, urging members of the public to observe high levels of personal and environmental hygiene by regular hand washing with soap and clean water, boiling of drinking water, and cooking food thoroughly. "Pit toilets should be well away from sources of drinking water such as wells. Blocked drains should be kept clean and Local Government Authorities should be informed of any major problems causing flooding or overflow during rains", he added

 

Via: Ogun State Government - Official Press Release