Daily Post Nigeria Cholera Outbreak: Expert tasks Nigerian government on improving health surveillance Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Health Cholera Outbreak: Expert tasks Nigerian government on improving health surveillance Published on June 30, 2024 By Lovina Anthony A health economist, United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA, Olakunle Ajayi has urged the Nigerian government to mainstream surveillance In tackling cholera epidemic in the country. In an interview over the weekend, Ajayi said surveillance system is the first line of defense in managing outbreaks He identified several key components of an effective surveillance system to include early detection, data analysis, resource allocation, and public communication. Ajayi explained that early detection is crucial for timely identification of cases, allowing a quick response that reduces the number of cases and prevents widespread transmission.
He noted that Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, IDSR, has proven to be invaluable for public health managers and decision-makers in improving the detection and response to major causes of illness in African nations. His words, “Analyzing data helps understand the spread and impact of the disease, identifying hotspots, tracking the progression of the outbreak, and predicting future trends. “With accurate data, resources such as medical supplies, clean water, and sanitation facilities, as well as human resources like healthc.
