CHOLERA, DIARRHEA & DYSENTERY UPDATE (25): NIGERIA (LAGOS) UPDATE
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 20 Jun 2024
Source: Premium Times [abridged, edited]
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/705554-cholera-situation-worsens-in-lagos-as-fatalities-increase-to-21.html
The Lagos State Government has announced an increase in suspected
cholera cases from 350 to 401 and 15 to 21 fatalities in one week.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Kemi
Ogunyemi, revealed this in a statement Thursday [20 Jun 2024], noting
that Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recorded the highest number of
cases. The statement was signed by the Director of Public Affairs,
Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
According to the statement, Mrs Ogunyemi said the rise in cholera
cases was anticipated following the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, during
which large gatherings occurred. She, however, noted that suspected
cases are subsiding across LGAs [local government areas], particularly
in previously affected LGAs, due to government interventions and
surveillance efforts.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, had hinted on
Monday [17 Jun 2024] that the identified cholera strain is highly
aggressive and contagious, with significant potential spread and
heightened by the rainy season.
Cholera is a highly contagious food and water-borne disease. It
spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated
food or water and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and
lack of handwashing.
Symptoms of cholera include acute, painless, watery diarrhoea of
sudden onset, with or without vomiting. It may be associated with
nausea, profuse vomiting, and fever.
Mrs Ogunyemi further noted that the government, through the ministry
of health and other sister agencies, is maintaining rigorous
surveillance and monitoring of the situation and implementing planned
programmes to curb the spread.
She noted: “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 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.”
She advised that citizens seek medical attention immediately if they
experience symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, general malaise, and fever, stressing that cholera treatment is
free at all public health facilities.
Mrs Ogunyemi acknowledged the support from local, national, and
international partners, including UNICEF, WHO, NCDC, NIMR, Red Cross,
and others in combating the outbreak.