Fresh Cholera Outbreak in Lagos Claims 6 Lives | Commissioner Says Outbreak Has Been Traced to Consumption of African Salad (Abacha)

Lagos State Health Commissioner, Jide Idris, Addressing the Press Conference

The Lagos state government has said that 6 deaths have been recorded in a fresh outbreak of Cholera in Isolo Local Council Development Area of Lagos state, Vanguard reports.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed that 45 cases were recorded, and 2 out of the 6 deaths recorded were brought in dead.

Idris said that 36 cases have been successfully managed in various hospitals across the state while 3 people are currently responding to treatment.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Idris said that the main source of the outbreak has been traced to consumption of a local of Salad called Abacha, a staple food of the residents of Isolo council area.

“Some domestic wells within the communities are also suspected. Sample of Abacha salad and well water have been collected and sent to the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory for analysis.

Samples were collected from 15 cases and taken to the central public health laboratory, Yaba. There were no growths, however continuous culture yielded Vibro cholerae from 7 out of 15 samples.

The Vibro cholera was late confirmed to be Ogawa strain.

The report of the analysis revealed the presence of vibro cholerae, Salmonella species and E. Coli in abacha and one of the two well water samples,” Idris said.

Idris said that of the 26 cases that were managed at Isolo General Hospital and Lagos Mainland Hospital, 22 have been discharged, 1 died, and 3 are still on admission at Lagos Mainland Hospital.

“All the 3 cases are still on admission and in stable conditions. 17 of the cases were managed at private health facilities in Isolo. Out of the 17 cases, 3 died. All 14 cases on admission have been discharged,” he said.

“The risk of contracting the disease is mainly by poor water and environmental sanitation, including open defecation. Lagosians should endeavour to wash their hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the rest room. Boil water before drinking, especially if you are not sure of the source of water,” Idris advised.

The commissioner also called on residents of Lagos state to stop open defecation, which can lead to a outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea.

The symptoms of cholera includes nausea, profuse diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, leg cramps. In severe cases, cholera can lead to dehydration, coma or death.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoea disease with or without vomiting caused by a bacteria referred to as Vibro cholerae, and it is transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with infective faeces.

Food or water contamination is usually due to poor sanitation and the source of contamination is usually other cholera cases when their infective watery stool gets into food or drinking water supplies.

Prevention of cholera can be achieved through basic water sanitation, such as boiling water of unclean sources. Cholera can kill within hours if left untreated.