Lagos Records 401 Cholera Cases
The cholera outbreak in Nigeria continues to escalate, with the death toll now standing at 37. Lagos State alone has recorded 401 cases. The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, reported an additional six deaths, bringing the state’s total fatalities to 21.
Rising Cases and Government Response
Ogun State has also been affected, with 14 cases and one death. Dr. Tomi Coker, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, confirmed the outbreak. She highlighted the spread across four local government areas. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported over 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases nationwide since January.
Federal and State Efforts
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has initiated water quality analyses in response to the outbreak. Permanent Secretary Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi stated that teams from the National Water Quality Reference Laboratories are investigating water sources in affected areas. State governments have intensified community sensitisation efforts to reduce cholera cases.
Lagos as Epicentre
Lagos remains the epicentre of the outbreak. Dr. Ogunyemi stated that the state government is maintaining rigorous surveillance and implementing programmes to curb the spread. She urged citizens to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever.
Ogun State Situation
In Ogun State, a 62-year-old woman in Ijebu-Igbo died of cholera. Dr. Coker confirmed the incident, noting that the woman contracted the disease from her son. Five other persons have been hospitalised. She urged residents to maintain good hygiene and avoid drinking water from unknown sources.
National and International Responses
The World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and the International Organisation for Migration held an emergency meeting in Lagos to address the outbreak. Meanwhile, Cross River and Osun states have activated emergency response teams and intensified sensitisation efforts to prevent the spread of cholera in their regions.
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