Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, reports a cholera outbreak centered on Lagos Island, with 350 suspected cases and outreach efforts to curb transmission and provide free treatment.
In a recent update, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, revealed that Lagos Island has emerged as the focal point of a cholera outbreak in the state, accounting for the highest number of suspected cases. Out of the 350 suspected cases reported across various local government areas (LGAs), Lagos Island recorded 106 cases. The outbreak, confirmed by laboratory tests to be cholera, is attributed to a highly aggressive strain of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, known for causing severe acute watery diarrhea that can lead to death within hours if untreated.
Prof. Abayomi highlighted the distribution of cases across other LGAs, with Kosofe reporting 49 cases, Eti-Osa 38, Lagos Mainland 30, and Ojo 17. The commissioner expressed concern over 15 fatalities due to severe dehydration resulting from delayed medical treatment. He reassured the public of ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak through community-based surveillance and treatment at public health facilities, provided free of charge. Additionally, he emphasized the state’s collaboration with national and international health bodies like the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and local NGOs to enhance awareness and prevention campaigns.
Prof. Abayomi underscored the causes and transmission modes of cholera, stressing its association with contaminated food and water in settings lacking proper sanitation and hygiene. He cautioned about common symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, rapid heart rate, and muscle cramps, urging prompt medical attention upon onset. As the state intensifies preventive measures, including enhanced public health campaigns, he expressed optimism that the outbreak’s peak has passed, with cases now declining significantly.
