A group, known as Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), on Monday urged the residents of South-East zone of the country to step-up their personal and environmental hygiene.

The President of NUF, Mr Augustine Chukwudum, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on the rise of environmental borne diseases in the state.

NAN reports that Enugu State last week confirmed the death of one person from Lassa fever in a government-owned health facility in the state.

While there was current outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country, which officials of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been battling to contain.

Chukwudum noted that Nigerians, especially residents of the South-East states should know that “prevention is better than cure’’, adding that individuals and households should lead the cleanliness campaign in their zone.

He said that the current wave of contiguous and deadly diseases needed the concerted efforts of all to tackle and for people to play their parts.

“I will implore our people in the South-East to be on their guard as well as do the needful by observing personal and environmental hygiene always.

“With the news of Lassa fever and cholera outbreaks, it is not good that one relaxes over the issue of cleanliness.

“Households should clean their homes, cover all containers with edibles and water for household use as well as ensure proper fumigation or insecticide treatment of their compounds,’’ he said.

According to Chukwudum, these diseases are contiguous and deadly by nature and should be given no chance to thrive.

He also urged the various tiers of government to step up their refuse evacuation mechanisms.

“The recent development of refuse piling up should be checked by the government and its refuse management agencies.

“While our people should be sensitised on the need to bag and contain refuse properly before disposal,’’ he advised. (NAN)

– Aug. 13, 2018 @ 15:59 GMT |