- Death Toll Rises To 35, Suspected Cases Hit 417 In Lagos
The cholera outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria, which began in June 2024, has been traced back to an unregistered tiger nut drink. Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, disclosed that this unregistered beverage has led to numerous cases across various local government districts in Lagos, including Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Kosofe.
According to Ogunyemi, investigations revealed that a common factor among those affected was consumption of this particular tiger nut drink, which was not approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Individuals admitted to hospitals consistently reported having consumed this drink prior to falling ill.
Efforts to contain the outbreak include extensive sampling of the drink to identify its source and conducting contact tracing similar to strategies employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stool samples from patients confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae subtype 01, the most virulent strain of cholera known for causing severe infectious diarrhea.
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In response to the outbreak, health authorities have intensified water sampling and testing, as cholera is also known to spread through contaminated water sources. The situation has had a significant impact on daily life and has prompted coordinated efforts from local agencies and international organizations such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), UNICEF, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Ogunyemi emphasized the importance of adhering to hygiene practices and ensuring that all food and beverage products purchased for consumption are registered with appropriate regulatory bodies to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
Meanwhile,Lagos State Government has updated there are listed 401 suspected cases and 15 fatalities, the state’s cholera outbreak has claimed 35 lives.
According to the government, Eti Osa, Kosofe, and Lagos Island had the greatest population counts at the time of the previous count. However, state health commissioner Akin Abayomi stated in his most recent Instagram post on Saturday that there are currently 417 confirmed cases in the country’s commercial hub.
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“As of June 20, 2024, an additional 6 suspected cholera cases have been reported, as illustrated in the accompanying graphs.“The situation report indicates 417 suspected cases, 35 confirmed cases, and 24 recorded deaths.
The graphs depict the distribution of cases among the 20 LGAs in the state.“The graphs depict the distribution of cases across the 20 LGAs and the trend of suspected cases. Let’s adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene.
“The Emergency Operations Center, in collaboration with all relevant partners, is actively engaged in contact tracing, community-based surveillance, awareness campaigns, sample testing, and ensuring that confirmed cholera cases receive appropriate medical treatment.”
