No fewer than five persons were reportedly killed in an outbreak of Cholera in Lagos state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that 60 persons sustained injuries and cases of severe gastroenteritis have been reported in communities around Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Kosofe local government areas.
He pleaded with residents to be vigilant and adopt precautionary measures and ensure they stop the spread of cholera outbreak in the state.
“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.
“We suspect a possible cholera outbreak; however, samples have been taken for confirmation. As of April 28, 2024, Nigeria reported 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states,” he said.
He added that cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and can be life-threatening..
“Cholera spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of hand washing. Symptoms of cholera include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscle cramps, fever and sometimes collapse,” he said.
