Yemi Obafemi
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi has advised citizens to seek medical attention immediately they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and other cholera related symptoms stressing that treatment is free.
Dr. Ogunyemi made the disclosure today while providing an update on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
According to her, the suspected cholera cases in Lagos state have increased to 401 with 21 fatalities.
She said the rise in cases was anticipated following the Ileya festivities, during which large gatherings occurred.
The statement partly read: “Following the last update on the cholera outbreak in Lagos, which reported 350 suspected cases and 15 fatalities, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, disclosed that the total number of cholera cases has increased to 401 across Lagos, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recording the highest numbers.
“Dr. Ogunyemi revealed this today while providing an update on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. She added that the death toll has also risen to 21, an increase of six from the previously reported 15 fatalities.”
She , however said suspected cases are reducing across Local Government Areas, particularly in previously affected LGAs due to the state government’s interventions and surveillance efforts.
De. Ogunyemi further stated that the government, through the Ministry of Health and other other agencies, is maintaining rigorous surveillance and monitoring of the situation and implementing planned programs and activities to curb the spread.
“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, continues to collect samples of water sources, food, and beverages to identify the source of contamination. We have also intensified our surveillance activities in communities, particularly in affected local government areas, to address the situation head-on.
“We are also working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as well as the Ministry of Tertiary Education to ensure all precautions are taken in our schools to protect children and scholars as they return. Residents must, however, remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera,” she stated.
She reinstated the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu commitment to ensuring that residents of Lagos receive quality and affordable health care.
The Special Adviser extended the gratitude of the State Government to local, national, and international partners—including the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organisation, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, Red Cross, and others—for their support in combating the outbreak.
She said: “Appreciation is also extended to the dedicated team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, environmental health officers, Water Corporation officers, surveillance officers, heads of agencies, members of PHEOC, and volunteers who are working around the clock to combat the disease and keep Lagos safe.”
