NOA intensifies campaign against cholera, meningitis, lassa fever across Nigeria
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched an intensified preventive campaign targeting Cholera, Meningitis, and Lassa Fever.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the NOA, emphasized that a lack of public awareness about preventive measures has contributed to the annual recurrence of these diseases across the country.
He pointed to weather changes, particularly extreme heat in northern Nigeria, as a significant factor in the spread of Cerebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM).
The campaign against Lassa Fever, which began in August 2024, has now transitioned to focus on CSM as temperatures rise. Meanwhile, Cholera outbreaks are linked to the contamination of water bodies with human waste, exacerbated by open defecation practices in many communities. The integrated campaign is set to launch in April to coincide with the rainy season.
The first phase of the campaign has already commenced in selected states, including Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Benue, Bauchi, and Ebonyi, based on data from the National Centre for Disease Control. Plans are underway to extend the campaign to Yobe and Borno, which have reported CSM outbreaks.
To reduce the spread of these diseases, the agency has advised citizens to adopt key preventive measures, including:
- Practicing good personal hygiene;
- Regular handwashing with soap or sanitizer;
- Ensuring safe food preparation; and
- Keeping the environment clean.
The campaign aims to educate Nigerians on the importance of personal hygiene as a fundamental step in controlling the spread of these infectious diseases.
