Borno State Initiates Measures to Curb Cholera Outbreaks in Educational Institutions

The Borno State Government has swiftly initiated a directive to activate immediate cholera prevention and control measures in schools, following a confirmed outbreak of the disease in Maiduguri and surrounding communities.

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This move is in response to the growing public health emergency, which necessitates urgent and coordinated action across all educational institutions in the state, as emphasized by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe.

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On Wednesday, Wakilbe issued a directive to Education Secretaries, school administrators, principals, and head teachers, instructing them to implement epidemic prevention and control plans in accordance with guidelines set by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

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Wakilbe stressed that the rapid spread of cholera through contaminated food and water, particularly in crowded environments like schools, makes preventive measures crucial for safeguarding students, teachers, and other personnel.

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The commissioner underscored the importance of immediate action, stating, "Following the confirmed cholera alert in Maiduguri and surrounding communities, all schools must immediately activate their Epidemic Prevention and Control Plans in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

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The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our utmost priority," he said, highlighting the need for prompt measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

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To strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices, Wakilbe directed schools to ensure regular handwashing with soap and clean water, provide multiple handwashing stations, and guarantee access to safe drinking water.

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He also prohibited the sale of unpackaged water and food supplied by unapproved vendors within school premises, in an effort to minimize the risk of contamination.

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Furthermore, Wakilbe instructed schools to enforce strict food safety standards, conduct daily environmental sanitation exercises, and maintain proper waste disposal and drainage systems to prevent contamination.

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He called for heightened surveillance and prompt reporting of suspected cholera cases to relevant health authorities, emphasizing the need for swift action in the event of a suspected outbreak.

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Wakilbe directed school administrators, principals, and head teachers to isolate and refer any student or staff member showing symptoms such as severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, or rapid dehydration for medical attention, and to report suspected cases within two hours to the nearest Primary Health Care Centre, the Local Government Disease Surveillance Officer, and the Ministry.

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As part of the preventive efforts, schools have been directed to organize emergency sensitisation campaigns through assemblies and classroom discussions to educate students on cholera prevention and personal hygiene.

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Compliance with the directive will be closely monitored through routine and unscheduled inspections across schools in the state, with Wakilbe warning that any act of negligence or failure to implement these measures will be treated seriously.

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He stated, "This is not a routine directive, compliance is mandatory and will be monitored through unannounced inspection visits.

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Wakilbe urged all stakeholders in the education sector to cooperate fully with health authorities and school management to contain the outbreak and protect public health, emphasizing the need for collective action to prevent the spread of cholera in schools and communities.