Kano food vendors unaware of cholera despite reported cases, deaths

By Firdausi Abubakar

Despite growing concern over the spread of cholera outbreak across Nigeria, many food vendors in Kano State remain unaware of the life-threatening disease, SolaceBase reports. 

According to a health advisory from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the disease mostly spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of handwashing.

The symptoms are acute, painless, and watery diarrhoea, with or without vomiting. 

As of Tuesday, July 2, when the centre gave its last update, Nigeria had recorded a total of 2,102 suspected cholera cases and 63 deaths across 33 states and 122 local government areas since the beginning of the year.

Lagos, Cross River, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, and Nasarawa are the most affected states.

The NCDC emphasised that improper refuse disposal and open defecation practices are endangering water safety and leading to cholera outbreaks. 

Though the centre’s Director-General, Olajide Idris, urged Nigerians to adopt safe sanitation practices, SolaceBase observes that many vendors in Kano lack awareness, posing a significant risk to residents. 

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When contacted, several street food vendors in Kano admitted they were unaware of the widespread cholera outbreak but they try to keep their foods safe for human consumption. 

One of them, Malam Tijjani Abba said he had never heard of cholera. He, however, explained that he buys fruits from the village, soaks them in water with a little soap to remove dirt and sand, and sweeps his environment before setting up his business.

“No customer has ever come back to complain about running stomach, diarrhea, or any sickness caused by what I sell,” Abba said. 

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Amina Ibrahim, a beancake seller known as “Kosai or Akara,” also said she was unaware of the disease. 

“I use borehole water I buy from water vendors to cook, and I always sweep my environment before setting up my business for the day. I also wash the utensils I use because I eat the bean cake too and want to keep it clean,” Ibrahim said.

In June, Kano government cautioned the residents of the state on the use of rainwater for drinking and other domestic activities. 

“It is important for people to understand that the raining water at the beginning of the rainy season is unclean. If one must use it, it must be purified using water treatment substances, including boiling and filtering, before use. This will help greatly to safeguard people against the bondage of cholera”, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Yusuf, said in a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Abdullahi.

“The commissioner also enjoined people to always wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly with clean water consumption because they are mostly purchased from the markets with little cleanliness.

“He then assured the stance of the administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to continue giving all the needed attention to the care of the people of the state, as health is one of the aspects that the Governor accords maximum priorities.”