By Ola Kay
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, had announced that suspected cholera cases in the state have spiked to 401 with 21 fatalities being recorded.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Thursday, signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, informed that highest number of Cholera cases were seen in Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa areas.
The statement educated the public about the disease saying that, “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.
In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation.
“Following the last update on the cholera outbreak in Lagos, which reported 350 suspected cases and 15 fatalities, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi 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 made the disclosure on Thursday, as he provided further information on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
She also said that the death toll had increased to 21, an increase of six from the previously reported 15 fatalities.
She added that spike in cases had beed expected following the Ileya (Muslim celebration), as there were possibilities of large crowds with attendant hygiene neglect.
Despite the increase in cases in some instances, she noted that suspected cases are subsiding generally across the local government areas, mainly in previously affected LGAs, based on the timely government interventions and surveillance measures put in place.
She disclosed that government, through the Ministry of Health and other related agencies, is maintaining rigorous surveillance and monitoring of the situation and implementing planned programs and activities to keep the spread at bay
Ogunyemi explained that, “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, 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. Residents must, however, remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera.”
The Special Adviser called on residentst to seek medical attention immediately they notice symptoms such as watery )stool) diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever. She emphasized that cholera treatment has been made provision for to be provided free of charge in all public health facilities in the state.
Dr. Ogunyemi stressed that Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to giving the residents of Lagos quality and affordable health care, while acknowledging efforts by the state and local government, including national, and international partner, especially the United Nations Children’s Fund,( UNICEF),the World Health Organisation, (WHO), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (NCDC) and the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, Red Cross, and others—for their support in combating the outbreak.
In similar vein , she extended gratitude 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 other volunteers working to combat the disease and keep the state safe.
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