{"id":2917,"date":"2026-08-01T21:59:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T20:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/?p=2917"},"modified":"2026-08-01T21:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T20:59:15","slug":"health-concers-grow-at-delsu-as-malaria-cases-rise-amid-flooding-and-poor-environmental-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/?p=2917","title":{"rendered":"Health Concers Grow At DELSU As Malaria Cases Rise Amid Flooding And Poor Environmental Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By Peter Marcus<\/strong><br>Rising cases of malaria, persistent flooding, and poor environmental conditions have become growing concerns among students and residents in Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, with many expressing fears over the impact of these challenges on their health and academic activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The situation has renewed calls for improved sanitation measures and effective flood-control efforts within and around the university community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Residents and students have expressed concern over the recurring health challenges associated with flooding during the rainy season, noting that prolonged exposure to floodwater and poor sanitary conditions often increases the likelihood of disease outbreaks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some students reported difficulties accessing clean water after heavy rainfall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Comr. Akande Bukola (director of health, safety and environment, SUG) emphasizes on the importance of proper hygiene, safe water consumption, and prompt medical attention when symptoms of illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea, or typhoid fever occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also urged members of the community to keep their surroundings clean and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites to reduce health risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>The current rainy season has worsened flooding in several parts of Abraka, including Winners Road, Bembo Road, the NUT axis, and sections of the DELSU environment, prompting concerns over its impact on public health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following heavy rainfall, stagnant pools of water are often left in affected areas, creating favorable breeding conditions for mosquitoes and increasing the risk of malaria transmission among students and residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Health experts also warn that floodwater can contaminate wells and other sources of drinking water, exposing people to waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever and diarrhoea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Residents have therefore called for improved drainage systems and regular environmental sanitation to reduce the health risks associated with recurring flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Mr. Obiora, a resident of Abraka, expressed disappointment over the worsening flooding in the community and called on the Delta State Government, alongside the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), to urgently initiate drainage and flood-control projects in the affected areas of Abraka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to him, the persistent flooding has made daily life increasingly difficult for both residents and students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He explained that after every heavy rainfall, entire streets remain submerged for several hours or even days, making movement extremely difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vehicles frequently break down or develop mechanical faults while attempting to pass through the flooded roads, while commercial transport operators often avoid the affected routes, causing delays and increasing transportation costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>He further stated that many students and indigenes are forced to wade through dirty, muddy floodwater before they can get to the university, their homes, or other destinations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He noted that the situation is not only inconvenient but also poses serious health risks, as prolonged contact with contaminated water can expose people to infections and other water-related diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Mr. Obiora added that floodwater often enters residential buildings whenever it rains, damaging household property and creating uncomfortable living conditions for families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also observed that stagnant water attracts mosquitoes, while insects, rodents, snakes, and other pests frequently find their way into homes after heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of malaria, bites, and other health hazards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He urged the relevant authorities to act swiftly by improving drainage infrastructure, clearing blocked waterways, and implementing lasting flood-management measures to protect lives, property, and public health within the university community and Abraka at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>As the rainy season continues, students and residents are calling on relevant authorities to address the recurring flooding and environmental challenges affecting the university community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They maintain that improving drainage systems, promoting environmental sanitation, and expanding access to health education and preventive healthcare will be crucial in reducing the risks of malaria, diarrhoea, and other diseases, while safeguarding the wellbeing of students and residents in Abraka<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Peter MarcusRising cases of malaria, persistent flooding, and poor environmental conditions have become growing concerns among students and residents in Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, with many expressing fears over the impact of these challenges on their health and academic activities. The situation has renewed calls for improved sanitation measures and effective flood-control efforts [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"iawp_total_views":19,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,7,14],"tags":[31,25,33],"class_list":["post-2917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abrakametro","category-healthcorner","category-trendingnews","tag-abraka","tag-delsu","tag-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2917"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2919,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2917\/revisions\/2919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}