- Report Cholera Outbreak: 5 Dead, 60 Hospitalized in Lagos. The swift response by health officials is critical to controlling the outbreak and preventing further spread.
- Effective communication and engagement with communities are essential for raising awareness and promoting preventive measures.
- The underlying issues highlighted by this outbreak underscore the need for improved infrastructure, particularly in water supply and sanitation, to prevent future occurrences.
Newsypeople – A cholera outbreak in Lagos, Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of 5 people and the hospitalization of 60 others. Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera outbreaks in Nigeria are often attributed to heavy rains that wash sewage into open wells and ponds used for drinking water. Poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and increased person-to-person transmission in overcrowded communities and IDP settings are major risk factors.
Nigeria has a history of large cholera outbreaks, with 93,598 cases and 3,298 deaths reported across 33 states between October 2020 and October 2021. The North-West region recorded the highest attack rate during this period. Factors significantly associated with cholera infection include attending social gatherings and drinking unsafe water.
Older age, male gender, residency in the North-Central region, and severe dehydration have been linked to increased odds of cholera deaths in Nigeria. The case fatality rate (CFR) during the 2020-2021 epidemic was 3.5% nationally, with the South-East region recording the highest CFR at 10%.
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have shown excellent accuracy in detecting cholera compared to laboratory culture, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.91. However, RDT and laboratory culture coverage remains low, especially in the southern regions of Nigeria.
The Commissioner further revealed that sadly five deaths have been recorded mainly from patients presenting late with extreme dehydration.
“We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response. The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have been alerted to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki Victoria Island axis. We suspect a possible cholera outbreak; however, samples have been taken for confirmation. As of April 28, 2024, Nigeria reported 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states,” he said.
The Commissioner noted that following recent rains, Lagos State has seen a notable increase in cases of severe vomiting and watery stools, adding that urban slums and crowded areas with poor sanitation are particularly at risk.
To address the persistent cholera outbreaks in Nigeria, experts recommend making RDT kits more widely accessible for improved surveillance and prompt case management across the country. Strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in high-risk communities is also crucial to prevent and control cholera outbreaks.
Also Read: Noble Igwe Celebrates Wife On Their Wedding Anniversary
