CHOLERA OUTBREAK KILLS 3 IN LAGOS

Cholera, a deadly disease often transmitted primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces (waste product) of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms has been reported in some local government areas in Lagos, as it has currently claimed three lives.

In view of the development, the state government has reiterated the need for members of the public to observe and maintain adequate personal and environmental hygiene at all times, as part of the measures to prevent the spread of cholera epidemic which had been detected in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who stated this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on effort being made to curb the spread of the disease, noted that the need to ensure high standard of hygiene at all times could not be overemphasised, following the reported outbreak of the disease in Lagos.

“Although, many of the cases have been treated and discharged in several health facilities, three have been confirmed dead. Most of the suspected cases are from Ajeromi, Apapa, Lagos Island, Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere local government areas of the state,” he said.

Idris explained that surveillance activities and investigations by the ministry had revealed that the suspected cases were contracted from food sources, such as the African food salad popularly called “Abasha,” well-water sources, especially in areas like Ikare community, Amuwo-odofin Local Government Area and Badia area of Apapa Local Government area, and other infected foods from food sellers, and other unhygienic habits.

The commissioner urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspected case, dead or alive, to the nearest health facility and the directorate of disease control in the state Ministry of Health. 

He enlightened that cholera could be acquired through the ingestion of an infective dose of contaminated food or water and could be transmitted through many mechanisms like direct or indirect contamination of water or food by feaces of infected individuals.

“If you have been in contact with a cholera patient, wash your hands thoroughly after touching any item or surface that may have been contaminated and also dispose of contaminated items properly,” he advised.

The commissioner said inter-ministerial collaboration involving the ministries of Health, Environment and Information, Lagos State Waste Management Authority and Lagos State Water Corporation had been evolved, adding that health and environmental status assessment of prone communities was ongoing.

He urged health workers to be on the alert and report suspected outbreak of more than five cases in their facilities to the state Ministry of Health.

In the same vein, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, said the government had stepped up public enlightenment campaign towards reducing the spread of the outbreak, especially in the communities and local government areas where it had been reported.