Ministry of Health informs public of cholera outbreak in Senegal

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Disaster Management Agency and key stakeholders and partners in the health sector yesterday announced a recent cholera outbreak in neighbouring Senegal.

A press release issued by the Health Ministry however stressed that there is no reported case in The Gambia.

“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 diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.”

The ministry urges individuals travelling to the neighbouring countries, especially to Touba in Senegal, to prepare and pre-pack their own drinking water and foodstuffs to be used during their stay there, exercise maximum personal hygiene at all times, properly wash fresh foods and fruits before consumption.

As a precautionary measure, the ministry also urges such travellers to wash their hands properly with clean water and soap after using toilet facilities before handling food or water.

“People should thoroughly cook foodstuff before consumption,” the release added, stressing that the ministry urges any person experiencing severe diarrhoea and vomiting to report to the nearest health facility.

“The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and her partners are on the alert and all health facilities are well equipped and ready for any suspected case,” the release concluded.