The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, announced on Saturday that a severe cholera outbreak has resulted in the deaths of 15 people in the state over the past few days.
The announcement came amidst growing concerns as 350 suspected cases have been reported, with 17 confirmed as cholera.
In response to the outbreak, the Lagos State Ministry of Health has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at Mainland Hospital, Yaba.
This initiative aims to address the increasing number of severe gastroenteritis cases across multiple local government areas.
“The laboratory investigation and test results have so far confirmed cholera sub-type O-1. This subtype is associated with a more severe disease. The pattern of new cases per day varies across LGAs, according to our ongoing surveillance and monitoring updates,” Abayomi stated.
While cases have subsided in previously affected areas due to interventions and surveillance efforts, new cases are emerging in previously unaffected local government areas.
This development underscores the need for residents to adhere strictly to precautionary, personal, and environmental hygiene measures.
The commissioner noted that the high-level team from the state Ministry of Health had concluded a crucial meeting with the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, and key partners from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The objective is to optimize all interventions to control the outbreak.
Abayomi urged residents to support the state government’s efforts by following precautionary measures, cooperating with health authorities, and participating in community-wide sanitation activities.
This call to action is especially pertinent as the Eid al-Adha celebration approaches, which could exacerbate the spread if hygiene measures are not strictly observed.
