Lagos State government on Thursday announced that death toll from the cholera outbreak ravaging some parts of the state has risen from 15 to 21.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Advisor on Health to the Lagos State Governor, disclosed this while giving an update on the public health challenge.
She added that there are now 401 cholera cases in Lagos, with many of the cases being reported in Eti Osa, Kosofe, and Lagos Island.
Dr. Ogunyemi gave an update on the epidemic shortly after a meeting with representatives of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC).
Sh explained that the increase in number if death came after the Eid -el-Kabir celebrations.
The Advisor explained that surveillance measures and other initiatives of the state government, number of suspected cases of Cholera are declining among LGAs, especially in LGAs that were previously impacted.
According to her, the Lagos State Government is carrying out organized programs and actions to stop the spread, as well as strict surveillance and monitoring of the situation through the Ministry of Health and other sister agencies.
“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. Residents must, however, remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera,” She said
Dr Ogunyemi advised citizens to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever, stressing that cholera treatment 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,” Ogunyemi said. (vitalnewsngr.com)
