Cholera outbreak in Lagos leaves five dead, 60 hospitalised

A severe cholera outbreak has left five people dead and sixty more ill in Lagos. The state government has called for increased monitoring and the implementation of preventive measures. 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the administration stressed the need of preventing the disease's spread, noting that an excessive number of instances of acute gastroenteritis had been reported in Lagos over the previous 48 hours.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, revealed that cases of severe gastroenteritis had been reported in the communities surrounding Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe LGA. 

These cases led to approximately 60 hospital admissions, and regrettably, five deaths had been reported, the majority of which were from patients who arrived late and were severely dehydrated.

“We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response. The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have been alerted to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki Victoria Island axis.

“We suspect a possible cholera outbreak; however, samples have been taken for confirmation. As of April 28, 2024, Nigeria reported 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states,” he said.The Commissioner stated that Lagos State has experienced a noticeable rise in cases of acute vomiting and watery stools since the recent rains, and that crowded, urban slums and places with inadequate sanitation were especially vulnerable. 

According to Abayomi, cholera is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe diarrhoea and even be fatal. She further stated that it could affect Lagos State and pose a serious health risk to communities with inadequate sanitation and water treatment.

“Cholera spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of handwashing. Symptoms of cholera include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscle cramps, fever and sometimes collapse,” he said.

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