The Lagos State Government has disclosed that the total number of cholera cases in the state has risen to 401, with death toll rising to 21.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, revealed this on Thursday while providing an update on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC).
According to her, Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa Local Government Areas (LGAs) recorded the highest numbers.
Ogunyemi noted that the rise in cases was anticipated following the Ileya festivities, during which large gatherings occurred. She noted that suspected cases are subsiding across LGAs, particularly in previously affected LGAs due to the state government interventions and surveillance efforts.
She further stated that the Lagos state government, through the Ministry of Health and other sister agencies, is maintaining rigorous surveillance and monitoring of the situation and implementing planned programmes and activities to curb the spread.
“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), 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, particularly in affected local government areas 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,” Ogunyemi said.
She urged residents to remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera.
Ogunyemi also advised citizens to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever, stressing that treatment for cholera is provided free of charge at all public health facilities.
While noting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to ensuring that residents of Lagos receive quality and affordable health care, the Special Adviser extended the gratitude of the state government to local, national, and international partners including UNICEF, WHO, NCDC, NIMR, Red Cross, and others for their support in combating the outbreak.
“Appreciation is also extended to the dedicated team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, environmental health officers, Water Corporation officers, surveillance officers, heads of agencies, members of PHEOC, and volunteers who are working around the clock to combat the disease and keep Lagos safe,” Ogunyemi said.
Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by ingesting the bacteria— Vibrio cholerae — in contaminated water and food. Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea, and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.