CITIZENS COMPASS –Lagos State government says it has recorded more deaths over cases of cholera outbreak.in 29 wards in the state.

It says there are 17 cholera cases and 15 deaths out of 350 suspected cases.

The state government confirmed this on Saturday in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo,.

It noted that the government had activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

It said the PHEOC was convened to address the increasing number of severe gastroenteritis cases across multiple LGAs in the state.

The statement said the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, disclosed this while speaking on steps taken to control the outbreak in the state.

He revealed 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 subtype O-1. 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, signalling the need for residents to adhere strictly to precautionary, personal, and environmental hygiene measures,” the commissioner said.

He added 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, had collected samples of water sources, food and beverage samples in all the affected LGAs, while inspections of facilities were ongoing.

Abayomi, noted for his effective and efficient response in the handling of the COVID -19 cases in 2020, urged residents to support the state government’s efforts by adhering strictly to precautionary measures, cooperating with health authorities, and participating in community-wide sanitation activities to mitigate the spread of the disease.

“During this Sallah season, residents are advised to drink safe water, cook food thoroughly, maintain personal hygiene, wash hands regularly, use sanitiser, and avoid overcrowded places. Reporting symptoms such as 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 the government’s standard public health response,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State government has urged residents to embrace precautionary measures to prevent any possible cholera outbreak in the state.

The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

Akinmade stated that the governor was concerned about the development and the need to prevent a cholera outbreak, considering the proximity of Ogun to Lagos, and the level of interaction between the two states.

According to the statement, the precautionary measures include ensuring all houses have toilets, all petrol stations have functional public toilets with running water as part of their corporate social responsibilities, and all garages and parks have functional toilets with running water.

“All markets must have functional public toilets with running water, mechanic villages must have functional toilets with running water, and all schools should have public toilets with running water,” the statement read.

Earlier, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) had  confirmed 30 deaths from cholera in 2024 at the time the Lagos government said at least five people had been reported dead in the state as a result of a suspected cholera outbreak.

In a statement on Thursday, the NCDC reported that from January 1 to June 11, 2024, a total of 1,141 suspected cases were recorded out of which 65 were confirmed.

The agency said the cases were reported from 96 LGAs in 30 states.

It identified the 10 states that contributed 90 percent to the burden of cholera as Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos states.

“The NCDC hereby alerts the public of the increasing trend of cholera cases across the country as the raining season intensifies,” the statement reads.

“An outbreak in Lagos State has recently been reported.

“The multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group, led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and comprising the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners, has been providing support to the affected states.

“This support includes risk communication, active case search, laboratory diagnosis, case management, provision of response commodities, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, and dissemination of Cholera awareness jingles in both English and local languages.”

According to the NCDC, to reduce the risk of cholera, “Nigerians should ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking and they should ensure food is well cooked before consumption.

“Practice good personal hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap under clean running water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and clean water are not

available,” the statement reads.

It also advised: “Only consume raw food such as fruits and vegetables, after washing thoroughly with safe water.

“Avoid open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping, ensure proper disposal of waste and frequent clearing of sewage.

“Healthcare workers are advised to always practice standard safety precaution i.e., wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient/relative.

Intensify surveillance efforts to promptly report suspected cholera cases.

“NCDC continues to advocate to State Governments to prioritize action for solutions that ensure access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices in communities.”