Lagos health commissioner Akin Abayomi reports 25 cholera cases at Kirikiri prison, with urgent interventions in place. The state intensified efforts to control the outbreak linked to unregulated street beverages.
Lagos state commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi, has reported 25 cases of cholera at Kirikiri Medium Security Prison. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Health, conveyed the commissioner's statement on Sunday, highlighting that urgent interventions have been implemented at the prison.
Abayomi noted that no new cholera-related deaths have occurred in the past 72 hours. However, the state government is intensifying efforts to control the outbreak. He emphasized that the small outbreak of 25 severe gastroenteritis cases, confirmed as cholera, prompted immediate medical and environmental interventions.
The commissioner mentioned ongoing low-grade community transmission despite a reduction in new cases and deaths. He advised the public to take safety measures seriously and seek early medical attention if symptoms develop.
"We supplied Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention supplies, and other health consumables," Abayomi stated. Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals to support the prison’s health facilities for approximately 3,200 inmates if needed.
Immediate water and sanitation issues at the prison have been addressed, and inspections of other correctional facilities in the state are ongoing. Abayomi linked the outbreak to unregulated street beverages and contaminated water supplies. Samples from popular street beverages tested positive for Vibrio cholera bacteria, the cause of cholera.
