Five individuals have reportedly died and 60 others have been hospitalized due to a severe gastroenteritis outbreak affecting communities in Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe local government areas in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, shared these details while discussing the state’s surveillance findings.
He announced that the government is urging increased vigilance and the implementation of precautionary measures to prevent a potential cholera outbreak in the region.
Prof. Abayomi further disclosed that, regrettably, five deaths have occurred, primarily among patients who sought medical attention late and suffered from severe dehydration.
“We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response,” he stated.
He also mentioned that the Ministry of Health’s Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency have been notified to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki Victoria Island area.
“We suspect a possible cholera outbreak; however, samples have been taken for confirmation. As of April 28, 2024, Nigeria reported 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states,” he added.
The Commissioner highlighted that recent rains have led to a significant rise in cases of severe vomiting and watery stools in Lagos State, noting that urban slums and densely populated areas with poor sanitation are particularly vulnerable.
