Gambia: Cholera Alert Again

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Disaster Management Agency, Key Stakeholders and partners hereby inform the general public about the recent presence of cholera in the West African Region, a press release from the Health ministry signed by Dr. Mackie Taal, permanent secretary at the said Ministry revealed yesterday.

Currently, the release went on, there is an outbreak of cholera in Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry. However, the release added, there is no reported case in The Gambia. Cholera, the release further stated, is a highly infectious disease that can be spread rapidly from person to person; via contaminated food or water. “Victims develop severe diarrhea with or without vomiting; and can quickly kill within hours if untreated.

In view of the highly contagious nature of the disease, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is hereby requesting the general public to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cholera which are: Severe watery diarrhea; Vomiting; and Fever. As a precautionary measure, individuals that must travel to neighbouring countries especially those travelling within the sub-region must adopt strictly the following preventive measures: Proper washing of hands with soap and water; Washing of all vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating; To prepare and pre-back their won drinking water and foodstuffs to be used during the course of the stay; Reheating of left-over food thoroughly before eating; Drinking water from a safe and protected source; Safe disposal of human faeces after using the toilet; Avoid/minimise public gathering and remember to wash hands after shaking hands,” the release added.

According to the release, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and her partners are on the alert and all the health facilities including the boarder health posts are well equipped and are ready for any suspected case. “There is no need for panic among the general public. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare therefore, urges any person with severe diarrhea and vomiting to report to the nearest health facility. The support and cooperation of the general public in this regard is highly solicited. Let us join hands to prevent the spread of cholera in our country,” the release concluded.