* As Lagos loses 29 patients amid 579 suspected cases
The Director General (DG) of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, said that cholera disease has claimed 53 lives as of Monday, June 24, 2024.
During a press briefing, Idris reported that the 53 deaths arose from 1,528 suspected cases across 107 local government areas in 31 states.
He noted that the case fatality rate of 3.5% since the beginning of the year has placed Nigeria at a high-risk level (level 3).
The National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has, therefore, been activated to ensure immediate and coordinated actions from the agency to address the situation.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Lagos State has risen to 29, with suspected cases soaring to 579 and confirmed cases hitting 43.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this on Monday at a news conference to give update on the cholera outbreak, held in Alausa, Ikeja.
Abayomi said the number of deaths rose because majority of the patients afflicted with the ailment presented themselves late to the hospitals.
He stated that government and its partners have embarked on active case search and contact tracing to ensure that the spread of cholera is halted.
Abayomi urged Lagos residents with suspected cases to report to the hospitals, adding that treatment is free, in a bid to slow down the spread.
The commissioner said government officials had also deliberately gone out to search for those with suspected cases of cholera.
He listed the symptoms of cholera to include profuse diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, abdominal cramps and shock.
Abayomi also said that those affected with cholera could be given Oral Rehydration Therapy, (ORT) to halt the dehydration before they are taken to the hospital.
The commissioner disclosed that since the outbreak on 5 June, 2024, cases had been rising, with the highest cases reported on 10 June.
He listed areas with the highest cholera burden to include Lagos Island, Eti-Osa and Kosofe local government areas, while there are cases in Ajeromi, Ifako Ijaiye, among others.
The commissioner said many children were affected by the cholera outbreak along with traders and artisans.
He, however, said reported cases had nose-dived currently, adding that no cases had been reported in any Lagos school.
So far, Abayomi said the government and its team have adopted one health approach to response to curbing the spread of the disease, while the directorate of environmental health and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency had been working assiduously to ensure the spread is halted.
“We have continued inspection of cases in mostly affected places, intensify sensitisation to ensure lagosians are aware,” he said, urging residents to support government by maintaining personal hygiene, washing of hands frequently, reporting suspected cases, among others.
On measures in schools, Abayomi said school authorities are being sensitised on the reporting techniques, monitoring of students health daily, promoting healthy diets and ensuring oral rehydration in schools.