‘88,000 practice open defecation; epidemic looms’ - Cross River LG raises alarm

Local authorities in Yala, Cross River State, Nigeria, have issued a stark warning about a significant increase in open defecation, threatening public health and reversing previous sanitation gains. The local government reports that an estimated 88,000 residents are now practicing open defecation, creating conditions ripe for an epidemic.

This alarming trend represents a significant setback for Yala, which had previously achieved the status of an open defecation-free local government in 2018. The reversal highlights the challenges in maintaining sanitation infrastructure and behavioral change over time.

The resurgence of open defecation poses a serious risk to the community's health, potentially leading to the spread of waterborne diseases and other infections. Officials are calling for urgent action to address the situation and restore the local government's previous achievement.