Following the outbreak of cholera in Lagos and some states, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for extensive measures to protect school children.
The UN organisation also called for concerted efforts to prevent disruption in the academic calendar over the spread of the disease.
The Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucrier, who made the call on Monday in a statement, said that the cholera outbreaks critically affected children and the young population.
According to Lafoucriere, these vulnerable groups face substantial health risks particularly children and young adults attending schools.
She noted that children were prone to severe dehydration and a high mortality rate.
“There is, therefore, urgent need for good sanitation, hygiene practices, improved access to clean water, regular handwashing with soap and clean water in order to combat the outbreak in schools,” she said.
Lafoucrier, however, solicited for adequate awareness across the country to sensitise the populace on cholera outbreaks and preventive measures as part of efforts to address the issue.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera remains a global threat to public health and is an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.
NAN
