June 20, (THEWILL) – The Lagos State Government says deaths from cholera outbreak in the state have increased from 15 to 21, while suspected cases of infections have also increased from 350 to 401, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa Local Government Areas (LGAs) recording the highest numbers.
Special Adviser to the State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the rise in cases was anticipated following the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, in which large gatherings occurred.
Ogunyemi made the disclosure in an update released by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs in the State’s Ministry of Health, on Thursday.
The Special Adviser stated that the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Health and other sister agencies, is maintaining rigorous surveillance and monitoring of the situation and implementing planned programmes and activities to curb the spread.
“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), continues to collect samples of water sources, food, and beverages to identify the source of contamination. We have also intensified our surveillance activities in communities, particularly in affected local government areas to address the situation head-on.
“We are also working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as well as the Ministry of Tertiary Education to ensure all precautions are taken in our schools to protect children and scholars as they return,” Ogunyemi said.
She urged residents to remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera.
Ogunyemi also advised citizens to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever, stressing that treatment for cholera is provided free of charge at all public health facilities.
While noting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to ensuring that residents of Lagos receive quality and affordable health care, the Special Adviser extended the gratitude of the State Government to local, national, and international partners, including UNICEF, WHO, NCDC, NIMR, Red Cross, and others for their support in combating the outbreak.
“Appreciation is also extended to the dedicated team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, environmental health officers, Water Corporation officers, surveillance officers, heads of agencies, members of PHEOC, and volunteers who are working around the clock to combat the disease and keep Lagos safe,” she said.
