TEN ESSENTIAL MEASURES TO PREVENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS DURING FLOODING

Thursday, September 24, 2020

TEN ESSENTIAL MEASURES TO PREVENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS DURING FLOODING

There has been widespread flooding in some states in Nigeria. In addition to the unfortunate displacement of people and their means of livelihood, flooding also leads to an increased risk of water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid fever following flooding events. There is also an increase in the breeding of disease vectors such as mosquitoes that can spread diseases like malaria and yellow fever.

This year, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that flooding may affect 275 Local Government Areas in 28 States of the country. Flooding can result in the contamination of the water we use in our homes for drinking and domestic purposes.

Nigeria is currently responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with cases in all states of the country. Given the risk of flooding, it is very important that all Nigerians take precaution to prevent the occurrence of other infectious disease outbreaks.

To reduce the risk of spread of infectious diseases associated with flooding, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) advises that the following precautionary measures should be taken:

Ensure that water is boiled, filtered and properly stored in a clean and safe container before drinking

Ensure that all water storage basins are well covered when not in use

Ensure proper disposal of waste, clearing of sewage and standing pools of water

Avoid open defecation and indiscriminate refuse dumping

Wash your hands frequently with soap under clean running water especially before preparing food or eating

Avoid mosquito bites by ensuring consistent use of an insecticide-treated net

In case of a flood, do not drink flood water or use it for daily household activity

Discard all medicines, food and water contaminated by flood water

If you experience sudden fever or frequent stooling, please visit a health care facility immediately

Health workers should observe universal care precautions at all time

Remember that the COVID-19 outbreak is not over. Continue to adhere to all recommended public health measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread such as wearing of face mask in public spaces, maintaining physical distancing and frequent cleaning of surfaces.

The NCDC remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians are protected from the threat and occurrence of infectious disease outbreaks.

Please visit the official NCDC website on www.ncdc.gov.ng for more information on infectious diseases and measures to stay safe.

About NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is the country’s national public health institute, with the mandate to lead the preparedness, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. The Bill for an Act to establish NCDC was signed into law in November 2018, by President Muhammadu Buhari. The mission of NCDC (2017-2021) is ‘To protect the health of Nigerians through evidence-based prevention, integrated disease surveillance and response activities, using a One Health approach, guided by research and led by a skilled workforce’.

Contact

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