Lagos on Cholera Alert: Etiosa, Ikorodu, on top alert. Commissioner issues Proactive Steps Against Threat”

In the wake of over 60 hospitalizations and five tragic fatalities due to severe gastroenteritis within 48 hours, the Lagos State Government has sounded the alarm for increased vigilance and preventive action against a potential cholera outbreak. The affected areas include Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe LGA.

Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi has reported a surge in severe vomiting and diarrhea cases, particularly in densely populated urban slums with inadequate sanitation. The state has initiated a comprehensive surveillance and response strategy, with environmental health officials investigating suspected water contamination sources, especially around the Lekki Victoria Island axis.

Cholera, a highly infectious disease marked by intense diarrhea, poses a significant risk in regions lacking proper water treatment and sanitation facilities. The disease is transmitted through contaminated food or water and can lead to rapid dehydration, muscle cramps, fever, and in severe cases, collapse.

For treatment, Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) are recommended for mild to moderate dehydration, while Intravenous Fluids are reserved for severe cases under medical supervision. To prevent the spread of cholera, the public is advised to boil or chlorinate drinking water, avoid untreated ice, practice safe sanitation, and maintain rigorous hand hygiene.

The Lagos State Ministry of Health, alongside the NCDC, is providing guidance and updates on cholera prevention, treatment, and management. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected cases through emergency hotlines 08023169485, 08137412348, or helplines 767 or 112.

Emphasizing the critical need for high hygiene standards and proactive measures, Prof. Abayomi reaffirms the government’s dedication to the health and safety of its citizens, urging everyone to embrace these preventive practices to protect the community.