The Lagos State Government has on Tuesday confirmed a total of 27 cases in the suspected diarrhoea outbreak which has riddled the state.
The Commissioner of Health in the state, Dr. Jide Idris stated that of the 27 cases which have been confirmed, a total of two deaths have been recorded and the remaining 25 persons have been placed under watch.
According to the state government through the Health Commissioner who spoke at a joint news conference in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the cases of diarrhoea were reported after the incidence of the heavy rainfall in the state which caused massive flooding in some parts.
Dr. Jide Idris further stated that the increased record of diarrhoea cases were reported in key areas in the state including Somolu LGA on July 19, 2017, Oshodi-Isolo LGA on July 20, 2017 and Surulere LGA on July 21 2017.
He said at the press conference: “Twenty-seven cases have been line-listed by the epidemiology/disease surveillance officers in the state as at today, July 25, 2017. Regrettably, two deaths were recorded from the 27 cases.”
Giving the statistics of the cases reported, the state commissioner noted that six cases were reported in Somolu LGA with one of the patients reported dead.
He continued: “Two cases were recorded in Oshodi-Isolo LGA. One was managed at a private hospital and he is alive, while one died at home. Fourteen cases were reported at Surulere LGA and managed at Randle General Hospital. No death was recorded.
“Two cases were managed at Mainland Hospital, both are alive. Three cases were managed at Gbagada General Hospital and all are alive. The cases managed at the two hospitals are currently being investigated.
“Majority of the cases presented with the typical diarrhoea and vomiting associated with cholera. Ano-rectal swabs were collected from two cases from Somolu General Hospital and taken to the Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba. One of the two specimen yielded Vibrocholerae001 Ogawa serotype growth. The result came in just a few hours ago.”
The state commissioner further blamed the source of the incidence of diarrhoea on infection of water source with feacal matter due to faulty septic tanks aided by the heavy downpour.
He further stated that well water had been collected in the affected area for proper analysis of the cause of the outbreak.
He stated that the general public need to be aware that acute diarrhoea accompanied with ot without vomiting is caused by a bacteria disease transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with infective faeces.
He added: “Food or water contamination is usually due to poor sanitation and the source of contamination is usually other cholera cases when they are infective watery stool gets into food or drinking water supplies. Prevention can be achieved through basic water sanitation.
“Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical in reducing the impact of cholera and other water-borne diseases. About 75% of people infected with V. cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for 7–14 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.
“Among people who develop symptoms, 80% have mild or moderate symptoms, while around 20% develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if untreated. The case fatality of cholera ranges from less than 1% in treated cases to as high as 50% in severe cases.”
The state commissioner further called on health workers in both private and public sectors to observe strict control measure against the upsurge of the disease.
He called on people of the state to notify the Ministry of Health of suspected cases of diarrhoea and vomiting through any of the following lines: 08037170614, 08023169485, 08052817243 and 08173577579.