The Abia State Government, through its Ministry of Health, issued an urgent health advisory regarding the outbreak of diphtheria in the neighbouring Imo State.
On Monday, State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, informed reporters about the conclusions from this week’s Executive Council meeting, led by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu stated, "Since Imo State is adjacent to us, what occurs in Imo can significantly affect Abia State."
There is a necessity for the people of Abia to adopt precautionary steps to guarantee that, should the illness reach their state, it won’t result in significant harm. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therefore, it is recommended that the residents of Abia take certain preventative actions.
“These preventive measures will entail: number one, vaccination for children and vaccination for adults who are not sure of their health status or diphtheria status. Number two will be that parents must be very vigilant during this period to ensure that any child who shows any symptom or onset of the disease is taken to the hospital immediately.
“There is a need for good hygiene during this period, good hygiene practices, and this entails washing of hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, or handling or touching potentially contaminated materials”.
He recommended that residents cover their mouths or noses when coughing. Additionally, he stated that they should steer clear of close interaction with those who appear ill or exhibit any signs of illness. In his view, heightened communal awareness is essential at present.
Residents are encouraged to inform local health officials about any potential instances of diphtheria they come across, preferably contacting the State Ministry of Health instead," he continued. "It’s also crucial for community leaders, religious figures, educators, school administrators, along with traditional rulers, to assist in spreading this vital message.
On travel precautions, he said, “If you must travel to or from an affected area, please ensure that your vaccination status is up to date”, disclosing also that the Federal Ministry of Health has declared the state free of river blindness after 30 years of mass drug administration to control the disease, stating, “With this declaration, Abia State has left the list of states where the disease was endemic for years”.
The commissioner took this chance to announce that the state government, via the State Minister of Transport, has set up an enforcement team aimed at tackling the increasing issue of one-way driving, which involves motorists going against the flow of traffic.
He said, “The government has taken time to observe how this has become a menace in our cities, particularly in Umuahia and Aba. The government has decided to stop this scourge. Driving against traffic is causing a lot of accidents across the state, and the time has come for culprits to be apprehended and dealt with”.
The enforcement teams, he said, have already commenced operations at strategic positions and areas in Aba and Umuahia, stating that it is important to observe that the enforcement of these rules will be very stringent, as offenders will be fined heavily and prosecuted as well, and when you cannot pay your fines, your vehicle will be impounded.
"Gradually, if left unattended, the vehicle will go to an auction. The measures will be strict with the aim of teaching individuals proper behavior, promoting safe driving within urban areas, and preventing harm to other road users," he explained further.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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