- Ogun records 25 cases, one death in seven LGAs
The Lagos State government has disclosed that the total number of cholera cases has increased to 579, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa Local Government Areas recording the highest numbers.
The death toll has also risen to 29, an increase of five from the previously reported 24 fatalities.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this at the Lagos State multi agency briefing and update on the cholera outbreak, on Monday, in Lagos, said the state’s surveillance is yet to tie the outbreak to a specific cause, although efforts are ongoing to unravel the sources of samples tested.
“So far, we have not been able to identify a source yet, but investigations are ongoing. Moving forward, we are going to keep active surveillance around our water sources and beverages in Lagos State.”
The commissioner further revealed that 30 patients were currently being hospitalized for varying degrees of the disease at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, adding that about 579 suspected cases have been identified, 43 of which are confirmed through laboratory analysis.
He noted that late presentation fueled most of the deaths in the state, adding that “Most of these deaths were caused by patients presenting very late at a stage where we could not resuscitate them because they had severe rehydration and many patients were actually brought in dead.
“Out of all the samples we were able to collect, we were able to identify Vibrio cholera. So this is indeed a confirmed case of a cholera outbreak by a subtype O1 that is known to us to be very contagious and to cause significant sickness in those that contract it.”
Speaking on cholera vaccine, the Commissioner said the government has not included the oral cholera vaccine in the routine national immunization programme.
While acknowledging the effectiveness of the oral vaccine, the commissioner highlighted several factors for the decision.
He said, “Firstly, introducing a new vaccine requires careful consideration, especially in the current climate of “vaccine sensitivity”. Secondly, the low incidence of cholera cases in the country doesn’t justify a nationwide rollout.
The commissioner emphasized that the situation would be different if cholera cases surged. In such a scenario, immediate action would be taken, including importing vaccines.
He added that presently, a limited supply of the oral cholera vaccine is available in the private sector but not through public health facilities.
He said the discussions should be at the federal level to determine whether to integrate this vaccine into the national immunisation program.
Speaking on efforts to halt the spread of the disease, the Commissioner said the state government is in complete control, even as he disclosed that it is offering cholera treatment free of charge to any suspected cases.
He therefore urged patients who are having symptoms of cholera to rush to any public hospitals for treatment.
“The state government has also adopted one health approach to response as relevant ministries and agencies and departments of the Lagos state government, including Health, Environmental and Water Resources, Education, Information and Strategy, Physical Planning and Agriculture are working together to curb the outbreak, prevent future occurrence.
“Directorate of Environmental Health and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency are collecting samples of water, food, and beverages to determine source of outbreak; ongoing inspections of facilities in affected areas; prepositioning cholera kits in health facilities statewide; distribution of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) and risk Communication and Public health education campaigns commenced and intensified,” he stated.
The Commissioner however urged residents to consume safe water, practice good personal hygiene like hand washing especially after using the toilet and before eating; washing of raw fruits and vegetables; cook food properly; thoroughly reheat leftover food before consuming; avoid unregulated and unregistered Street beverages and ensure general environmental sanitation.
To prevent a similar outbreak, he said the state government is to introduce an initiative called Safe Plate and Safe beverage to prevent the recurrence of outbreaks like Cholera.
He said the initiative will ensure that all street food vendors and beverage sellers will be monitored and given modules of operation.
Abayomi made this known at a news briefing to update the media on the cholera outbreak and what the state government was doing to arrest the situation in Lagos.
Ogun records 25 cases, one death in seven LGAs
Also, the Ogun State government has acknowledged the outbreak of cholera in the state, as it declared its readiness to contain the spread of the disease effectively and efficiently.
It said 25 cases have been reported in seven local government areas with one death.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Monday at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, alongside his Environment counterpart, Ola Oresanya, named the local governments as Ado-Odo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro and Obafemi Owode.
According to Coker, her Ministry is collaborating with relevant stakeholders from the Ministries of Environment, Information and Education, Water Corporation, private hospital owners, emergency services, among others.
“Emergency Operations Centre, having been activated earlier, is now in response mode, each MDA involved in the response is carrying out its responsibilities to curtail and control the outbreak. The Ministry and local government areas, waste, and environmental sanitation department is carrying out activities to curb open defecation and improve environmental hygiene.
“Medication and essential consumables have been repositioned at LGAs and other strategic health facilities to provide hitch free, quality treatment that is free in all government facilities.
“Cholera sanitation materials are being shared to all electronic platforms, including social media, radio, and television. The Ministry of Information and the risk communication pillar are working hard to engage the public on prevention practices, good hygiene, and sanitation,” the commissioner noted.
She identified contaminated food and drinks, unhygienic sanitary conditions and poor personal hygiene as some of the risk factors of the disease, imploring the people to imbibe hand hygiene, washing of food, vegetables, fruits properly before eating as well as avoid open defecation so as not to contact the sickness.
She noted that the state government was aware of the threat posed by the outbreak and was at all times alert by putting in place adequate preparation to protect the lives and health of all residents, adding that this has helped to minimize the impact of the outbreak when compared with other states.
The commissioner emphasized that the Federal Government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has been supportive in the areas of technical assistance and in supplying protective gears to health officials.
While calling on the general public to visit any government health facility for proper examination if they pass watery stool more than twice within eight hours, the commissioner urged them to call the following telephone numbers 08038642812; 07034214893 and 08084250881 for prompt response.
