Ooof… it’s been a rough couple of days since we got wind of the Cholera outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria. Cholera was something that I have heard about, but never really close to home this way. The reason it’s so sad and scary that there is an outbreak now is probably because I now have a daughter who is in school. So, this is not just about my safety or that of my husband’s. It’s about the safety of all of our kids while they are back in school, away from our watchful eyes.
Cholera is a bacterial infection that makes its way to people from food and water contamination. People who are infected can spread it through their poop; when it makes its way through the sewage system unto our water system. Kids can getinfected through the water system, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and foods that are not properly cooked. It’ssymptoms include;
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Increased thirst
Less urinating
Irritability
Weakness
And so many more…
While I am grateful that the outbreak is very limited right now, I still think we should all take precaution for ourselves and our kids; let’s get ahead of this disease before it infects any of our kids.
So how do we take precaution?
TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised that we all:
Drink safe water: It’s healthier for us to use bottled water with unbroken seals, boiled water (if you cannot afford bottled water) or treated water (make sure the chlorine is up to code).
Wash your hands with soap and water. And teach the kids to do the same.
Have the school wash the kids’ hands regularly.
Put hand sanitizers in your kids’ backpack and have their handlers use it for them while they are in school. If your kids are old enough, teach them to use the sanitizers themselves.
When you use the toilet, close the lid before you flush so the bacteria stays sealed in. That way, you can flush them with No. 1 and No. 2. And please wash your hands when you are done. And teach the kids to do the same.
If you do not have a toilet, dig a hole far away from the water system or wells, do your thing and bury it.
Please wash and steam your vegetables thoroughly before cooking for your families to eat.
Cook your food thoroughly, please.
For now, make your food at home. No ordering of food from outside or from any place you cannot attest to their food safety guidelines.
Get your kids on an immune booster and or multivitamins.
Wash your fruits very clean and peel them before eating or offering it to the kids.
Don’t forget to regularly disinfect your house.Clean up your kitchen and every nook and corners of your house.
If you make a habit of practising hygiene, then you already are proactive with keeping your kid(s) safe. And if you see that anyone in your family is already displaying any of the symptoms, please see a doctor.