In Lagos State, the number of people who have died from cholera has risen to 24, according to the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi.
Abayomi shared the update on his Instagram account on Friday, confirming a total of 35 cases out of 417 suspected ones across 20 Local Government Areas in the state.
“417 suspected cases, 35 confirmed cases, and 24 recorded deaths,” as of June 19, 2024, Abayomi reported.
He urged all residents to prioritize personal and environmental cleanliness to prevent further spread of the disease, stating that it is crucial to maintain good hygiene habits and keep oneself safe (for a greater Lagos).
The affected areas include Agege, Badagry, Ikeja, Mushin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo, Alimosho, Eti-Osa, Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere.
Cholera is caused by bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, which is found in contaminated food and water. It leads to severe diarrhoea and can be deadly if untreated. In Nigeria, cholera outbreaks are common during the rainy season, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported a significant increase in cholera cases, with nearly 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths in 24 countries since the beginning of 2024.
The WHO highlighted the Eastern Mediterranean Region as having the highest number of cases, followed by regions in Africa, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Despite challenges, WHO managed to exceed its target of distributing five million doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine by early June 2024, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in controlling outbreaks.
