- He said the State’s environmental health agency had been directed to investigate likely water contamination source in some parts of the State
At least five persons have died following the outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in some Lagos State communities.
The affected communities are in Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Kosofe local government areas of the State.
The cholera outbreak has also led to 60 other persons being hospitalised, official in the South West State disclosed on Monday.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made the disclosure while reacting to the state surveillance reports.
Abayomi said the state government has issued a statewide call for heightened vigilance and the adoption of precautionary measures to curtail the spread of a potential cholera outbreak in the state.
Abayomi confrmed the demise of the five victims, saying the deaths were recorded mainly from patients presenting late with extreme dehydration.
He said the State’s environmental health agency had been directed to investigate likely water contamination source in some parts of the State.
“We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response.
The Ministry of Health 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. 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 said.
The Commissioner noted that following recent rains, Lagos State has seen a notable increase in cases of severe vomiting and watery stools, adding that urban slums and crowded areas with poor sanitation are particularly at risk