The Lagos State Government has called for heightened vigilance and precautionary measures following the death of five people from a suspected cholera outbreak in 48 hours. According to a statement Tuesday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, revealed that severe cases of gastroenteritis have been reported in communities around Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe LGAs. Mr Abayomi said the outbreak has resulted in about 60 hospital admissions, adding that the fatalities were mainly from patients with extreme dehydration coming to the hospital late.
The commissioner noted that following recent rains, Lagos State has recorded an increase in cases of severe vomiting and watery stools, adding that urban slums and crowded areas with poor sanitation are particularly at risk. “We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response. The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have been alerted to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki Victoria Island axis,” the statement read.
As of 28 April 2024, data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that Nigeria has recorded 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states. Mr Abayomi explained that cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and can be life-threatening, adding that it poses a significant health burden in areas with poor water treatment .
