Cholera: Lagos probes source of outbreak as death toll rises

•Exercises caution on cholera vaccination amid global sensitivity
•Cross River activates emergency response team

Health officials from the Lagos State government have begun investigation into the source or sources of the contamination that caused cholera outbreak, which death toll has risen to over 30.

State’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, noted that the government has not concluded investigations into the possible source of the outbreak.

He stressed that the investigation, which is still ongoing, was yet to ascertain the cause of cholera in the state.

“So far, we have not been able to identify a source yet, but investigations are continuing. We want to see if we can identify a particular source. Moving forward, we are going to keep active surveillance around our water sources and the distribution of beverages,” he said.

Recent surge in cholera cases in Eti-Osa local council has sparked a controversy over the popular tiger nut drink, with health officials expressing concerns about the safety of unregulated vendors and unregistered drinks.

This follows a report by a media outlet, which quoted Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, who reportedly linked the outbreak to the consumption of unregistered tiger nut drinks.

Despite these claims, Abayomi, clarified that the precise source of the outbreak remains unidentified. “It is what a lot of people consume on their way to and from work or after school. So, it’s not surprising that a few of our suspected cases referred to the consumption of a beverage.

“However, liquid beverages are produced in a batch and once the batch is produced, it is distributed and consumed. So, when we go back to a particular location where they are manufacturing street beverages, we may not find anything at all because the batch that was contaminated has been completely distributed.”

Abayomi advised the public to verify the NAFDAC number on beverages purchased from street vendors, stressing the importance of avoiding uncertified products. He also highlighted the state’s commitment to regulating the activities of street manufacturers and ensuring the safety of water sources used in production.

On cholera vaccination, Abayomi noted that the state is exercising caution given the current global and national sensitivity surrounding vaccines. “We have to be very sure that the introduction of the oral cholera vaccine will actually make a difference before we expose you to a new vaccine,” he explained.

He highlighted concerns about water contamination, particularly during the rainy season, and urged residents to practice good hygiene habits.

The Guardian gathered that Ogun State’s Health Commissioner, Dr Tomi Coker, reported 25 suspected cholera cases in the state, of which nine victims have been confirmed and one individual has died.

Coker mentioned that eight of these cases were traced back to Lagos, where the individuals were reported to had travelled and consumed tiger nut drinks.

Her words: “The initial eight cases originated from Lagos State, the reported epicentre of the Cholera outbreak and a state that shares a border with four of our local governments. The eight cases had travel history to Lagos and six of them reportedly drank tiger nut drinks while in Lagos. Furthermore, we also promptly diagnosed cholera in five of the contacts of the patients with a travel history to Lagos State.”

MEANWHILE, the Cross River State government has activated its emergency response team to respond to any threat of cholera outbreak in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, who disclosed this to The Guardian, said the state has not witnessed any case of cholera since the current outbreak in 30 states but had witnessed one death associated with cholera in March.

He said: “There was outbreak of the disease in two local councils- Obubra and Biase between February and April and only one death was recorded during the outbreak. That was about the only time we have had case of cholera outbreak in the state.”

Speaking on the current outbreak in the country, Ayuk said: “We have already adopted the guidelines provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). As part of our preparedness, we have reactivated our public health emergency response team at the state and local government level to respond and react immediately.

“We are increasing surveillance activity and educating communities on the need to report any case of diarrhea. We are focusing on the riverine areas, which we have designated “hot spot” such as Etung, Abi, Obubra, Biase and part of Yakurr local government areas.”