Janet Ogundepo Following the continuous rise in the number of deaths and cases recorded in the ongoing cholera outbreak in Lagos and Ogun States, the Society of Testing Laboratory Analysts of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to commission public analysts for comprehensive water quality testing in the affected areas. SoTLAN’s president, Prof Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, made the appeal in a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise. On Monday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported that presently, 1,528 suspected cholera cases and 53 deaths have been reported in 31 states across 107 Local Government Areas.
The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, also said that the Federal Government has activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera. He said, “As of June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths have been recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of the year.
“These fatalities are not just statistics but a significant loss of a loved family member, a spouse, a parent, and often a seasoned healthcare worker and team member. This situation is compounded as the rainy season intensifies.” Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The common indications are vomiting and stooling. Cholera can cause severe diarrhoea and different levels of dehydration and can kill within hours if left untreat.
