Lagos assures residents not to panic as death from Cholera Outbreak hits 29 with no case recorded in school

The Lagos State Government has urged residents not to panic over the current Cholera Outbreak assuring that appropriate measures have been activated to curtail the spread.

It also said that so far the state has recorded 29 fatalities from 579 cases while 30 patients some with severe cases are now left being attended to.

The State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi disclosed this at a joint media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.

He said that the state is still tracing where the current outbreak emanated from but quick to add that handful of patients during clinical examinations said they consumed liquid street beverages.

Prof Abayomi noted that the state government is paying attention to water used by the street beverages producers to check if it meets NAFDAC standard.

According to him, test conducted so far was yet to confirm consumption of street beverages as the cause of the outbreak adding the test are still under monitoring.

He disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu already directed heightened surveillance and regulations ahead of the rainy season but the Cholera hits the state implying we are also prepared ahead.

The commissioner further said that there is no denial of Cholera Outbreak as against what some residents did during COVID-19 that took up to two weeks before they come to terms with it.

He said that some severe cases among those left on admission experienced dehydration but they have been rescued from dying.

According to him, most patients that lost their lives were brought in dead or with severe cases stressing that anyone with symptoms of cholera should visit the nearest hospital immediately

On his part, the State Commissioner for Basic Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun clarified that the state had not recorded any outbreak in schools.

He explained that some of the necessary measures in place include checking the food vendors to ensure proper hygiene is observed.

Jamiu Alli-Balogun added that a team has been set up to monitor development with information on hot line to call in case of emergency adding sch is extended to all private schools and Tertiary institutions.

On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Dr Tunde Ajayi advised residents on proper disposal of sewage while noting that standard hygiene among residents cannot be undermined.

He however noted that open defecation is a behavioural problem and not connected with the cholera outbreak.

Dr Ajayi beleives that a community led campaign and enlightenment to change the attitude is crucial.

ost public facilities have a normal toilet.

The LASEPA General Manager noted that ppulation explosion is also a major issue confronting the state in which some first comer lands in uncompleted budings without proper hygiene reason he said the state introduced LASRRA.