This is a disastrous assessment that Togo has recorded following confirmed cases of cholera since August 2024 in the Gulf health district in Greater Lomé. In a press release dated October 2, 2024, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene deplores 4 deaths including 2 at home. He calls on the population to be vigilant.
In view of this situation, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, with a view to strengthening the alert for the early detection of cases, is taking measures. These include free case management, raising awareness among the population on preventive measures and what to do when faced with signs of suspicion, strengthening infection prevention and control measures at community level. , disinfection of the sites and localities concerned, as well as the free distribution of chlorine.
A public health problem in Togo, cholera is transmitted by the fecal-oral route when ingesting contaminated water or food. While inviting the population to adopt certain behaviors to avoid contracting this disease, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene indicates that cholera is a serious diarrheal disease.
Wash your hands properly with soap and water, especially after bowel movements and before eating, cook food thoroughly and reheat leftover food before consuming it, cover food well against flies and dust, wash fruits and vegetables properly before eating them, drink healthy water at all times and in all places, disinfect with bleach or boil water from rain, tanks, rivers, ponds or ponds before drinking or using them, relieving children and throwing those of children in the latrines, avoiding defecation and throwing garbage in the open, are the behaviors to which the government urges populations to comply.
« If a person presents with acute, watery and profuse diarrhea, accompanied or not by vomiting or abdominal pain, take them immediately to the nearest health center for rapid and adequate treatment. The sooner the patient is treated, the more chance he has of recovery. », Warns the ministry press release. While counting on everyone’s civic-mindedness to apply preventive measures, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene calls for everyone’s vigilance to stem this epidemic.
Also read: Togo / cholera alert: vigilance, the call from Prof Mijiyawa
