UNICEF Urges Vigilance Against Cholera in Nigerian Schools Amid Outbreaks

In response to the recent cholera outbreaks in Lagos and several other states, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a call for robust measures to safeguard school children. Concerned about potential disruptions to the academic calendar due to the disease, UNICEF emphasized the critical need for proactive steps to protect vulnerable populations.

Celine Lafoucrier, Chief of the UNICEF Lagos Field Office, underscored the severe impact of cholera on children and young people, noting their heightened susceptibility to dehydration and elevated mortality rates during outbreaks. She stressed the urgency of implementing stringent sanitation practices, promoting hygiene measures such as regular handwashing with soap and clean water, and ensuring access to safe drinking water in schools.

Lafoucrier also urged for widespread awareness campaigns across Nigeria to educate the public on cholera prevention strategies as part of comprehensive efforts to mitigate its spread.