LAGOS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's southwestern Ogun State has heightened its surveillance system to avert outbreak of cholera in the state, an official said Wednesday.
Babatunde Ipaye, the state Commissioner for Health, told a gathering in Sagamu area of the state that efforts were in top gear to prevent its outbreak in the state.
"There has not been case of cholera outbreak in Ogun for years and we do not look forward to that, because what we have done mainly is to see primary care as our priority," he added.
"We have heightened our surveillance system to the extent that we have been rated the best in Nigeria in terms of diseases surveillance," he said.
Ipaye said that environmental health had been the main focus for the state government to ensure a healthy living for the people.
"Environmental health has contributed more to public health, because if you are able to take good care of your environment, particularly sanitation and water, you will be able to put cholera at bay," the medical doctor added.
The ongoing construction of bridges and drainage across the state were parts of the major investment of the government to promote environmental health, the commissioner said.
Cholera, an infectious disease, causes severe watery diarrhea and can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. Enditem
