At least five people have died and 60 others hospitalized following a suspected cholera outbreak in Lagos State, according to the State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi.
Gatekeepers News reports that Abayomi assured that “we have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response.”
“The Ministry of Health, the Directorate of Environmental Health, and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have been alerted to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki Victoria Island axis.”
The commissioner noted that the outbreak has resulted in about 60 hospital admissions, with the five deaths mainly due to extreme dehydration.
He explained that cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and can be life-threatening, especially in areas with poor water treatment and sanitation.
Abayomi advised citizens to take preventive measures, including ensuring safe drinking water, maintaining proper sanitation, practicing good hygiene, and following food safety guidelines.
He also urged citizens to report suspected cases to the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and accredited local health facilities.
Suspected cases can be reported via the following emergency hotlines: 08023169485, 08137412348, or by using helplines 767 or 112.
