It is going to be another long weekend in Lagos as the Independence Day celebration has warranted a bank holiday on Monday, 3rd October 2016. As expected, many Nigerians will take advantage of the short holiday to either visit family, friends or just relax. Some may even take it up a notch higher and visit fun destinations nearby.
Lagos City would normally welcome visitors from nearby cities like Abeokuta and Ibadan, during a long weekend like this, seeing as it is the nation’s No.1 fun destination.
However, with the current Cholera outbreak which, thankfully, has been curtailed (according to the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris), a number of people are still a bit reticent to make the trip to the city.
No doubt cholera is an acute contagious bacterial disease capable of killing in hours, but with proper measures, it can be evaded. To assuage the concerns of prospective visitors looking to storm this fabulous city this long weekend, we at Jumia travel have done some research and come up with 4 ways anyone can stay protected from this disease while visiting Lagos.
Do not patronize “Abacha” hawkers
Originally from the eastern regions, Abacha -a local meal made of cassava, herbs and spices – is widely consumed by locals in Lagos city. It is common to see women hawking the delicacy in almost every part of the city, from mainland to the Island and Lekki environs, and as such, it is very easy to want a taste of it. Unfortunately, the main suspected source of the cholera infection in this last outbreak was caused by Abacha. Samples revealed the presence of vibrio Cholera, Salmonella species and E.coli. To protect yourself from contracting the bacteria while visiting, it is advisable to stay away from the delicacy. If you feel a desperate need to have it, either ensure you visit a classy restaurant or prepare it yourself.
Ensure the water you drink has NAFDAC number
Another major cause of Cholera is dirty water. While in Lagos, try not to drink tap water or just any water you can purchase on the streets. Go for bottled water or sachet water and also, ensure that whatever choice you make has a registration number from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Avoid public toilets
It is normal to need the bathroom or toilet when you are out and about, but you may want to avoid using public toilets for now. Some open toilets may look clean, but still, serve as a cesspool for the bacteria that births cholera. Keep in mind that public toilets are one of the very easy ways to contract the disease and so if you, by any chance, find yourself in a situation where you have to use one, ensure you use a disinfectant to wash up afterward.
Wash your hands with soap and hand sanitizers
The easiest way to stay free of any kind of germ or bacteria, including the cholera bacteria, is by keeping your hands clean. Ensure you wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly especially after using the restroom. Also, invest in a hand sanitizer and carry it with you everywhere to stay protected.
Nkem Ndem is a PR Associate at Jumia Travel.
