Cholera risk in Abuja

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, spread mainly through contaminated water and food. In Abuja, your risk score of 63/100 reflects moderate-to-high exposure potential due to several local factors: overcrowded areas with limited sanitation infrastructure, reliance on boreholes and water vendors during dry-season shortages, flooding during rainy seasons that contaminates water sources, and widespread street food practices with inconsistent hygiene standards.

To protect yourself and your family in Abuja, take these specific steps:

1. Treat or boil all drinking water. During dry season, water vendors may sell from contaminated sources. Boil water for at least one minute, or use chlorine tablets (e.g., WaterGuard) before drinking and cooking. Store treated water in clean, covered containers.

2. Wash hands with soap and clean water at critical times: before eating, after using the toilet, before feeding children, and after handling waste. If soap is unavailable, use ash as a temporary alternative, though soap is strongly preferred.

3. Avoid raw or undercooked seafood and street food during rainy season (June–September) when contamination risk peaks. Eat freshly cooked, hot food. Peel fruits yourself.

4. Use proper sanitation facilities. If your area lacks sewage infrastructure, build or use pit latrines at least 30 meters from any water source. Never defecate near rivers, streams, or drainage channels.

5. Prepare oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home: mix six teaspoons of sugar and half teaspoon of salt in one liter of clean water. If you or a family member develops severe watery diarrhea, start ORS immediately and seek medical care at the nearest health facility without delay. Early treatment reduces mortality significantly.

6. Keep your immunization records current. If available in your area, consider the oral cholera vaccine, especially before rainy season.

Stay alert during flooding events, and report suspected outbreaks to the nearest primary health center.