• Reports 15 fatalities across LGAs • Calls for vigilance during Sallah • Ogun issues warning measures
By Doris Obinna
Following the initial alert of an outbreak of cholera across the country, the Lagos State government has confirmed an increasing number of severe cases across various local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
This is even as the Ogun State Government has also announced precautionary measures to the residents to prevent any possible outbreak in the state.
Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade said the governor was seriously concerned about the development and harped on the need to protect the residents of the state considering the proximity of Ogun to Lagos and the degree of interactions between the two states.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, yesterday revealed that 350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across the LGAs with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities so far.
Even Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Thursday disclosed that a total of 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera with 30 deaths had been reported from 96 LGAs in 30 states between January 1, and June 11, 2024.
Abayoi said Lagos State had activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
According to him, “the PHEOC was convened to address the increasing number of severe gastroenteritis cases across multiple LGAs in Lagos State.”
While speaking on steps taken to control the outbreak in the state, he added that “350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in Lagos State with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities so far.
“The laboratory investigation and test results have so far confirmed cholera sub type O-1. This subtype is associated with more severe disease.
The pattern of new cases per day varies across LGAs, according to our ongoing surveillance and monitoring updates.
“Although this is an increase from the numbers published three days ago, cases are now dramatically subsiding in previously affected LGAs due to our interventions and surveillance efforts. However, we are recording some new cases in previously unaffected LGAs, signaling the need for residents to adhere strictly to precautionary, personal, and environmental hygiene measures.”
He also said that “the Directorate of Environmental Health of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency of the Ministry of Environment, have collected samples of water sources, food and beverage samples in all the affected LGAs, while inspections of facilities are ongoing.
“We are prepositioning cholera kits in health facilities across the state. Our efforts to control the outbreak also include the distribution of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), public health education campaigns,” he explained.
He urged residents to adhere strictly to precautionary measures, cooperating with health authorities, and participating in community-wide sanitation activities to mitigate the spread of cholera, particularly as the Eid-al-Adha celebration approaches.
“During this Ileya festive season, residents are advised to drink safe water, cook food thoroughly, maintain personal hygiene, wash hands regularly, use sanitiser, and avoid crowded places.
“Reporting symptoms like watery diarrhea or vomiting immediately is also crucial to save lives and prevent transmission to other members of the community. Treatment for suspected cholera is provided free of charge at all government facilities as part of governments standard public health response,” he added.
Responding to the situation, Ogun State government issued precautionary measures, insisting that the residents must adhere to them.
It said: “All houses MUST have toilets. Each house without a toilet should identify a room to be converted to a toilet.” Residents are given three to six months of grace for compliance.
“All petrol stations MUST have functional public toilets with running water as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
“All garages and parks MUST have functional toilets with running water.
“All markets MUST have functional public toilets with running water.
“Mechanic villages MUST have functional toilet with running water.
“All schools (public and private) should have public toilets with running water.”
In addition to those measures, residents of the state were also advised to take the following measures as a way of galvanising themselves against the disease.
“Drink safe water that is boiled or chlorinated; wash your hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet and before handling food; wash fruits and vegetables properly with safe water before eating and for preparing food; cook food properly. Buy and eat only hot food; use water from reliable sources, among other precautions.”
The state maintained that the Ministry of Environment would see to the strict compliance of all the measures, warning that violators would be dealt with.