The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has emphasized the critical need for stakeholders in the food supply chain to adopt stringent food safety measures.
Speaking at the 2024 World Food Safety Day, themed “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected,” Prof. Adeyeye highlighted the urgency of establishing a robust food safety culture to mitigate potential food hazards and risks.
The current cholera outbreak presents a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), between January and June 11, 2024, there have been 1,141 suspected cases and over 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states. Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water with the bacterium Vibrio cholera, spreads rapidly in areas lacking proper sewage and water treatment.
With schools nationwide resuming after the mid-term break and Sallah holidays, there are growing concerns about the risk of cholera transmission among students. Public health experts have warned that the disease could proliferate in educational settings if preventive measures are not implemented effectively.
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Celine Lafoucrier, Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, has called for extensive preventive actions to protect school children from the outbreak. She stressed the importance of preventing disruptions in the academic calendar due to the spread of cholera, especially considering that children under five are particularly vulnerable to severe dehydration and higher mortality rates associated with the disease.
The NCDC has also issued warnings about the increasing trend of cholera cases as the rainy season progresses. The agency identified ten states contributing to 90% of the current cholera burden: Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos.
In light of these developments, Prof. Adeyeye’s call for enhanced food safety practices is timely. By fostering a culture of food safety, stakeholders can play a pivotal role in controlling and preventing outbreaks, thereby safeguarding public health.
