Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, has announced a severe cholera outbreak in the state, resulting in 15 deaths over the past few days. The announcement was made on Saturday, revealing that 350 suspected cases have been reported, with 17 confirmed as cholera.
In response to the outbreak, the state Ministry of Health has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at Mainland Hospital, Yaba. The PHEOC is focused on addressing the rising cases of severe gastroenteritis 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.
He noted that while the number of cases has increased from those reported three days ago, there has been a dramatic subsidence in previously affected areas due to interventions and surveillance efforts. However, new cases are emerging in previously unaffected LGAs, emphasizing the need for residents to adhere strictly to precautionary and hygiene measures.
Abayomi also mentioned that a high-level team from the state Ministry of Health has met with the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Jide Idris, and key partners from the World Health Organization to ensure that all interventions are optimized.
As the Eid al-Adha celebration approaches, Abayomi urged residents to support the state government’s efforts by strictly following precautionary measures, cooperating with health authorities, and participating in community-wide sanitation activities to mitigate the spread of cholera.
