The Lagos State Government has announced that there has been an increase in deaths as a result of the cholera outbreak in the state, News About Nigeria reports.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, disclosed this after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, PHEOC, on Thursday.
She noted that the number of deaths from the cholera outbreak in the state rose to 21, with 401 suspected cases recorded across the state, adding that the total number of cholera cases has increased to 401 across Lagos, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti-Osa recording the highest numbers.
She stated that the increase had been anticipated following the Ileya festivities, during which large gatherings occurred, but assured the people that suspected cases are subsiding across LGAs due to the interventions of the state government.
She also noted that the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Health and other sister agencies, is maintaining rigorous surveillance and monitoring of the situation and implementing planned programmes and activities to curb the spread.
“The rise in cases was anticipated following the Ileya festivities, during which large gatherings occurred. She, however, noted that suspected cases are subsiding across LGAs, particularly in previously affected LGAs, due to state government interventions and surveillance efforts.
“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), 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,” she stated.
She, therefore, urged citizens to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever, stressing that cholera treatment is provided free of charge at all public health facilities.
