Lagos alerts residents to outbreak of severe gastroenteritis caused by Cholera

The Lagos State Government has alerted residents that the outbreak of severe gastroenteritis affecting multiple local government areas (LGAs) is caused by the current cholera outbreak.

The Ministry of Health spokesperson, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, stating that the confirmation comes after laboratory investigations and test results revealed the presence of cholera subtype 0-1.

Ogunbanwo, who quoted the commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi, said the cholera subtype 0–1 is associated with more severe disease and the pattern of new cases per day varies across LGAs, according to our ongoing surveillance and monitoring updates.

The outbreak, according to Ogunbanwo, has resulted in 350 suspected cases, 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities.

The affected LGAs include several areas across the state, with a higher concentration in some of the densely populated neighbourhoods.

The Lagos State Government has now activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

The PHEOC was convened to address the increasing number of severe gastroenteritis cases across multiple Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos State.

“Although this is an increase from the numbers published 3 days ago, cases are now dramatically subsiding in previously affected LGAs due to our interventions and surveillance efforts, however, we are recording some new cases in previously unaffected LGAS, signalling the need for residents to adhere strictly to precautionary, personal, and environmental hygiene measures,” the Commissioner said.

He added that “The Directorate of Environmental Health of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency of the Ministry of Environment, have collected samples of water sources, food and beverage samples in all the affected LGAs, while inspections of facilities are ongoing.

“We are prepositioning cholera kits in health facilities across the State. Our efforts to control the outbreak also include the distribution of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), public health education campaigns,” he explained.

Abayomi noted that a Lagos State Government Ministry of Health high-level team just concluded a meeting with the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Jide Idris, and his team, as well as key partners from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to ensure all interventions are optimised.

Abayomi, however, urged residents to support the state government’s efforts by adhering strictly to precautionary measures, cooperating with health authorities, and participating in community-wide sanitation activities to mitigate the spread of cholera, particularly as the Eid-al-Adha celebration approaches.

“During this Ileya festive season, residents are advised to drink safe water, cook food thoroughly, maintain personal hygiene, wash hands regularly, use sanitiser, and avoid over crowded places. Reporting symptoms like watery diarrhea or vomiting immediately is also crucial, to save lives and prevent transmission to other members of community,” he said.

“Treatment for suspected cholera is provided free of charge at all government facilities as part of governments standard public health response.”