The death toll from the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 37, with Lagos State reporting 401 cases. The outbreak, which has affected 30 states including Lagos and Ogun, has led to a rapid increase in both suspected and confirmed cases.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, announced in a statement on Thursday that the state had recorded an additional six cholera deaths, bringing the total fatalities in Lagos to 21. This statement was released by the Director of Public Affairs in the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), from January 1 to June 11, 2024, there have been over 1,141 suspected and more than 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states. The inclusion of the recent deaths in Lagos and one in Ogun has raised the national death toll to 37.
Earlier in the week, reports indicated that the reopening of schools after the Sallah holiday could potentially accelerate the spread of the disease. This concern was echoed on Tuesday when the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened an emergency meeting in Lagos to address the outbreak.
Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is a water and food-borne disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhea. If left untreated, severe cases can be fatal within hours. In Nigeria, cholera is a seasonal disease that predominantly occurs during the rainy season, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
Dr. Ogunyemi highlighted that the rise in cases was anticipated due to the large gatherings during the Sallah festivities. However, she noted that the number of suspected cases was beginning to decline across various local government areas, particularly those that were heavily affected initially. This improvement is attributed to the state government’s intervention and surveillance efforts.
“Following the last update on the cholera outbreak in Lagos, which reported 350 suspected cases and 15 fatalities, the total number of cholera cases has increased to 401 across Lagos, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recording the highest numbers,” Ogunyemi stated. She provided this update after meeting with the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
The state government, through the Ministry of Health and other agencies, continues to maintain rigorous surveillance and implement programs to curb the spread of cholera. Dr. Ogunyemi urged citizens to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever. She emphasized that cholera treatment is available free of charge at all public health facilities.
In her latest update, Dr. Ogunyemi confirmed that Lagos Island remains the epicenter of the outbreak. She reassured the public that the government is committed to controlling the situation and preventing further spread of the disease.
