A general physician, Dr Gerald Chinasa, has warned that persistent rainfall and flooding could increase the incidence of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, urging Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation.
Chinasa, who is also the Head of the Medical Team at the Heritage Advancement Forum (HAF), gave the advice in an interview on Sunday in Lagos.
He said prolonged rainfall, stagnant water and poor environmental sanitation create conditions that encourage the spread of diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, dysentery and acute diarrhoea.
“Continuous rain creates room for poor sanitation. Stagnant water and gutters often containing faeces are major breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-causing organisms,” he said.
According to him, floodwaters often mix with sewage and refuse, contaminating water sources and increasing the risk of infection.
He explained that poor waste disposal contributes to the spread of diseases, including malaria, hepatitis A, dysentery, ascariasis and cholera.
To reduce the risk of infection, Chinasa advised Nigerians to drink only boiled, filtered or properly treated water and to maintain good personal hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap and clean water, especially before eating or handling food.
He also urged residents to avoid contact with moving or stagnant floodwaters, saying they may contain sewage and harmful bacteria.
The physician further recommended eating freshly prepared hot meals and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly with safe water before consumption.
Chinasa called for improved drainage systems, proper refuse disposal and greater community participation in environmental sanitation, stressing that government intervention and sustained public awareness campaigns are essential to reducing disease outbreaks.
He also cautioned against self-medication, noting that not every fever is caused by malaria and that pneumonia results from bacterial, viral or fungal infections rather than exposure to cold weather.
He advised anyone experiencing symptoms of illness to seek prompt medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.