Cholera Outbreak Hits Oyo: 27 Cases, 1 Death Confirmed

Cholera Outbreak in Oyo - 1 Dead, 27 Affected

“The counterpart fund is to cater for the micro-planning, which includes logistics, flag-off, net campaign..."

Oyo State Launches Mosquito Net Campaign: N210.2 Million Approved for Distribution to All Households, Aiming to Reduce Malaria Cases by 2025.

Oyo State has reported 27 confirmed cholera cases, with one fatality, out of 245 suspected cases between January 1 and October 7. The patient who succumbed to the disease was from Lagos State.

Commissioner for Health Oluwasherimi Ajetumobi disclosed these figures at the weekly state executive council meeting in Ibadan. On a positive note, nine cholera patients are currently receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo, Ibadan, and are expected to be discharged soon.

To combat cholera, the Oyo State government has implemented preventive measures in public schools, including strict hygiene practices for food handlers and emphasizing hand hygiene. These efforts aim to ensure students' health and safety.

Some key preventive measures include:

Hand Hygiene: Children are advised to carry hand sanitizers and frequently wash their hands with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the restroom.

Oral Rehydration Salt: Schools are recommended to keep ORS available in their clinics to manage dehydration cases promptly.

Emergency Protocol: Schools should notify the state emergency hotline, 615, immediately in case of any health emergency or suspected cholera cases.

Oyo State's Health Commissioner, Oluwasherimi Ajetumobi, announced that the executive council discussed her ministry's request for N210.2 million to support a mosquito net campaign during a recent meeting. This campaign, set to launch in May 2025, aims to promote the use of mosquito nets to combat diseases like malaria.

Mosquito Net Campaign Details

Objective: Encourage the use of mosquito nets to reduce malaria cases

Launch Date: May 2025

Funding: N210.2 million requested as counterpart fund

Purpose: Support the campaign's implementation and distribution of mosquito nets

This initiative is crucial in preventing malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, especially in regions prone to outbreaks. By allocating funds for the mosquito net campaign, Oyo State demonstrates its commitment to public health and disease prevention.

“The counterpart fund is to cater for the micro-planning, which includes logistics, flag-off, net campaign, storage and distribution across the 33 local government areas of the state,” Ajetunmobi said.

“The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiative has procured a total of 5,670,644 nets for the state and the state is expected to pay a counterpart fund of N 210,243.

“The burden of severe malaria in the state proportionally affects the vulnerable population particularly children under five, pregnant women and the elderly ”

The commissioner made a promising announcement that all households in the state will receive mosquito nets as part of the distribution program, ensuring everyone benefits from this vital initiative. This move aims to protect people from mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, which remains a significant concern in many regions. 

In fact, studies have shown that long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) can reduce malaria transmission and are highly effective in preventing malaria when used properly. With this distribution effort, the commissioner is taking a crucial step towards safeguarding public health and well-being.