The Lagos State government has announced that the suspected cholera cases in the state have increased to 401 with 21 fatalities.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi made this known in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
The statement highlighted that Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recorded the highest numbers of cases.
The statement read in part; “Following the last update on the cholera outbreak in Lagos, which reported 350 suspected cases and 15 fatalities, Dr Ogunyemi, disclosed that the total number of cholera cases has increased to 401 across Lagos, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recording the highest numbers.
“Dr Ogunyemi revealed this today while providing an update on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.“
She stated that the increase in cases was expected after the Ileya festivities, which involved large gatherings.
However, she noted that suspected cases are decreasing across LGAs, especially in those previously affected, due to the state government’s interventions and surveillance efforts.
The Special Adviser emphasized that the government, through the Ministry of Health and other associated agencies, is continuing rigorous surveillance and monitoring, while implementing planned programmes and activities to control the spread.
“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, continues to collect samples of water sources, food, and beverages to identify the source of contamination. We have also intensified our surveillance activities in communities, to address the situation head-on.
“We are also working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as well as the Ministry of Tertiary Education to ensure all precautions are taken in our schools to protect children and scholars as they return.”
She urge residents to remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to prevent the spread of cholera.
Dr Ogunyemi advised citizens to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever, emphasizing that cholera treatment is provided free of charge at all public health facilities.
Cholera outbreak
Cholera is a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated food and water.
It spreads directly by consuming contaminated food or water and indirectly through poor sanitation and inadequate handwashing.
Symptoms of cholera include sudden onset of acute, painless watery diarrhea, which may be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and fever.
The NCDC said severe cases of cholera can result in death within hours due to dehydration.
However, about 80 per cent of infected individuals may exhibit mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic.
In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation.
The 10 states contributing 90 per cent to the current cholera outbreak burden include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos states.