Lagos Island Epicentre Of Lagos Cholera Outbreak –Health Commissioner

Lagos Island Epicentre Of Lagos Cholera Outbreak –Health Commissioner

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says Lagos Island has the highest number of suspected cholera cases with 106 cases out of the 350 suspected cases in the state. Abayomi made the disclosure yesterday through his official X account @profakinabayomi while giving an update of the state’s cholera outbreak.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cholera is an acute diarrhoea infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhea and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated. Abayomi disclosed that laboratory tests have confirmed that the outbreak was due to cholera with the identified strain being highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.

Speaking on the morbidity and mortality, Abayomi disclosed that 350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple local government areas (LGAs) in the state. According to him, there are 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation at health facilities. The commissioner further said that geographical distribution of suspected cases by LGAs revealed that Lagos Island was the epicentre of the outbreak with 106 cases; followed by Kosofe-49; Eti-Osa-38; Lagos Mainland- 30 and Ojo-17.

Other LGAs affected are Ikorodu 16; Kosofe-16; Shomolu-11, Surulere-9; Apapa-8; Mushin-8; Ifako-Ijaiye -8; Mushin-5; Alimosho-4; Ajeromi-Ifelodun -4; Oshodi-Isolo-3; Ikeja-3; Ibeju-Lekki-2; Badagry-2; and Amuwo-Odofin-1.

“Through community based case finding and contact tracing, we have observed that the number of cases has peaked and is now significantly declining,” he said. He stressed that the state was intensifying its public health prevention campaigns to prevent a resurgence.