The Lagos State Government has attributed the frightening number of deaths in the state’s most recent cholera outbreak to its late presentation.
It revealed that the total number of cholera cases has risen to 579, 43 of which were verified through laboratory investigation, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa Local Government Areas having the greatest numbers.
Professor Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, revealed the findings during a news event on Monday, saying the death toll had increased to 29, up five from the previously reported 24 fatalities.
Abayomi also reported that 30 individuals were currently being treated for varied degrees of the sickness at the Infectious Sickness Hospital in Yaba.
The commissioner said, “Most of these deaths were caused by patients presenting very late at a stage where we could not resuscitate them because they had severe rehydration, and many patients were brought in dead.
“So far, we have not been able to identify a source yet, but investigations are ongoing. Moving forward, we are going to keep active surveillance around our water sources and beverages in Lagos State.”
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water infected with the bacteria Vibrio cholera.
It emerges on a regular basis in nations such as Nigeria that lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
Although cholera is a preventable and treatable disease, the number of cases tends to rise with the beginning of the rainy season.
Abayomi stated that, out of all the samples collected, they were able to identify Vibrio cholera.
“So this is indeed a confirmed case of a cholera outbreak by a subtype O1 that is known to us to be very contagious and to cause significant sickness in those that contract it,” he said.
Although the oral cholera vaccine is a tool for preventing and controlling cholera outbreaks, the commissioner stated that it is not included in the government’s routine national immunisation campaign.
He explained, “Firstly, introducing a new vaccine requires careful consideration, especially in the current climate of “vaccine sensitivity. Secondly, the low incidence of cholera cases in the country doesn’t justify a nationwide rollout.”
Abayomi stated that if cholera cases increased, the situation would change and that quick action would be taken, including the importation of vaccines.
He went on to say that there is now a limited supply of the oral cholera vaccine in the commercial sector but not in public health institutions.
He stated that debates about whether to include this vaccine in the national immunisation plan should take place at the federal level.
Giving insight into measures to stem the disease’s spread, the commissioner stated that the state administration had perfect control, even as he revealed that it was providing free cholera treatment to any suspected cases.
Giving information about measures to stem the disease’s spread, the commissioner stated that the state administration had perfect control, even as he revealed that it was providing free cholera treatment to any suspected cases.
He recommended anyone with symptoms of cholera approach any public hospitals for treatment.
“The state government has also adopted a health approach to response as relevant ministries, agencies, and departments of the Lagos state government, including Health, Environmental and Water Resources, Education, Information and Strategy, Physical Planning, and Agriculture, are working together to curb the outbreak and prevent future occurrences.
“The Directorate of Environmental Health and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency are collecting samples of water, food, and beverages to determine the source of the outbreak; ongoing inspections of facilities in affected areas; prepositioning cholera kits in health facilities statewide; distribution of oral rehydration solutions and risk communication; and public health education campaigns have commenced and intensified,” he said.
He advised the populace to drink clean water, wash their hands frequently, especially after using the lavatory and before eating, wash raw fruits and vegetables, cook their food correctly, reheat leftovers completely before consuming them, abstain from unregistered and unregulated street beverages, and maintain general environmental sanitation.
He stated that the state administration would launch a programme named Safe Plate and Safe Beverage to stop the recurrence of outbreaks like cholera.
According to him, the project will guarantee that all street food and drink vendors receive operational modules and oversight.
