The Lagos State Government has attributed the recent surge in cholera cases to the consumption of tiger nut drinks, News About Nigeria reports.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, revealed the findings during an interview with Punch, following investigations into the outbreak.
“When we noticed an increase in cases in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos specifically, we went there to investigate. We carried out a survey and found that the common denominator, which was one of the deadly factors, was a tiger nut drink. People who came to the hospitals all identified that they had drunk tiger nut drink,” Dr. Ogunyemi explained.
She said that the investigation revealed that the beverages were not only unregistered but also potentially unsafe.
Officials struggled to trace the source of the drinks due to unreachable phone numbers and only empty bottles available for inspection.
Ogunyemi said that the absence of full bottles hindered further testing.
“We couldn’t just take their word for it, so we had to take that drink and test it to see what was in it. We immediately sent people out to look for those selling it so we could take a sample.
“We found empty bottles with a name on them, but we discovered that it wasn’t even registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the regulatory body that ensures the safety of consumables.”
The outbreak has affected several areas, with the highest number of cases reported in Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, and Kosofe.
As of June 19, 2024, the state recorded 417 suspected cases and 35 confirmed cases of cholera, with 24 fatalities.
The death toll has risen from 15 to 21 within a day, highlighting the severity of the outbreak.
Dr. Ogunyemi asked citizens to avoid self-medication and urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experienced symptoms.
“Unfortunately, we can’t test everyone because most have already taken antibiotics, which doesn’t give us a good sample. We test those who just came and have not taken anything at home.
“Hence, part of our campaign is to advise people not to take antibiotics. Pharmacists should not sell them antibiotics. They should come straight to the hospital for testing. We provide oral rehydration therapy, which is crucial during cholera symptoms,” Ogunyemi said.
She mentioned that the government has ramped up its efforts, including setting up an emergency office in Yaba and conducting extensive community outreach to educate the public about the dangers of consuming unregulated drinks and the importance of hygiene.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely and hope for a decline in cases as our efforts in the community intensify,” Dr. Ogunyemi added.
