A 62-year-old woman in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State, has given up the ghost after suffering from Cholera disease.
Reports said the woman contracted the disease while caring for her infected child, who is now hospitalized.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, confirmed the outbreak of Cholera in the State.
“A 62-year-old woman died and five persons were hospitalised. It happened in Ijebu-Igbo in the Ijebu-North Local Government Area,” he said.
The Chairman of Ogun State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Kunle Ashimi, acknowledged the widespread impact of cholera, which he said has affected 29 other states across the country.
He noted that cases would be treated free of charge at designated facilities, urging the residents to follow the prescribed preventive measures against the spread of cholera.
Ashimi said: “Such patients will be transported to and treated free at the facilities designated for the management of cholera cases across the state.
“We use this opportunity to appeal to our people to imbibe preventive measures for the prevention of the spread of Cholera, including avoiding open defecation, avoiding indiscriminate refuse dumping, washing hands regularly, washing fruits and vegetables well before consuming and treating water before consuming it either by boiling or treating with chemical purifying agents.
“We advocate that where there is no wherewithal to do this, two drops of plain household bleach in 1 litre of water is a good alternative. We also implore schools to monitor food, fruit and snack vendors around the schools to ensure that they practice proper hygiene. As well, schools should reintroduce hand washing stations like was done during the COVID-19 period,” he added.
Meanwhile, the cholera death toll in Lagos has now has risen to 24, according to the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi.
Abayomi, who disclosed this via his Instagram handle on Friday, also said that 35 cholera cases across the 20 local government areas have been confirmed among the 417 suspected cases.
Abayomi said: “Let’s adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene. Let’s stay safe #ForAGreaterLagos”