Janet Ogundepo
As the country continues to battle the spread of cholera, the Lagos State Government has at the last count, recorded 33 deaths, 49 confirmed cases and 821 suspected cases in several Local Government Areas.
This was made known by the State Health Educator and Director of Health Promotion at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olusegun Badejo, at Tuesday’s Risk Communication-Community Engagement Meeting on the Cholera Outbreak.
He noted that while cholera cases have been recorded in several LGAs in the state, Lagos Island, Eti-Osa and Kosofe, recorded the highest numbers.
“The scourge of cholera is spreading in Lagos and of course, as of epidemic week 26, we have the following: for suspected cases, we have 821 in the state, then number of deaths, 33 and number of confirmed cases, 49. All the 20 LGAs are affected in Lagos with a high concentration from Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, and Koshofe Local government.
“We are not comfortable that we lost 33 people, it is regrettable but these numbers are mainly as a result of the delay in taking them to the hospital where they can have prompt medical attention as some died along the way. ” Badejo said.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingesting food and water contaminated with the vibrio cholerae bacteria.
Persons with cholera experience constant diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting, which can lead to severe dehydration and death if not treated promptly.
On Tuesday, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, stated that 2,102 suspected cholera cases and 63 deaths have been recorded across 33 states since the beginning of the year to June 30.
Speaking further at the event, organised in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the State Health Educator, noted that unhygienic handling of food and water, which could be at the point of production, transportation, and storage is a risk factor for cholera.
Badejo warned residents against eating and buying food in local canteens and restaurants with dirty environments, especially those with fly infestations.
He decried the lack of toilets in houses located in the slums, noting that residents of such areas defecate into water bodies, which at the end, contribute to cholera risks in such areas.
The Director of Health Promotion also warned houses without toilet facilities to urgently ensure provisions are made for them.
Badejo said the Ministry of Environment has been carrying out enforcement on houses with dirty environments and unsafe water and without toilet facilities.
Later speaking with journalists on the sideline of the event, he said, “Lagos State has given a directive for the provision of 100 public toilet facilities across the state. So, that people in transit and in need of toilet facilities can quickly make use of them and of course, clean up and continue with their journey.
“We must ensure that our hygiene is very key. We must wash our hands regularly. And, when do we wash our hands? Before and after food, when we visit the toilet, when we touch dirty areas or dirty places, after sports activities and after playing with our pets, we must ensure that we wash our hands with soap and water regularly.
“This is going to clear and damage whatever bacteria that may be in our hands. Especially vibrio cholerae, then, we can remain safe at all times.”
“He also advised residents of the state to call the emergency numbers whenever there is a suspected case of cholera around them.
UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, on her part, said that the agency is working with the Emergency Operation Centre in the state to provide support, particularly in the areas of surveillance, risk communication and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
“What we want to do is to see that we communicate with communities in ensuring that the spread does not continue, and then put in place, WASH practices and facilities in ensuring that there is a prevention of cholera and to also limit the spread.
“So, we are working with community structures, partners and the government in ensuring that we have a concerted and coordinated response in limiting the outbreak and spread of cholera,” she added.
Akinola-Akinwole emphasised the need for regular handwashing, clean environment and sanitation, and the need to follow up with the structures put in place to curb the spread of the diseaese.
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