Cholera: Nigeria records 53 deaths as at Monday
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has confirmed records of 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cases of cholera across 107 local government areas in 31 states of the country as of Monday.
Penpushing reports that the Director General Jide Idris disclosed this at a press conference held in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), explaining that the fatalities represent a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of 2024.
The Director General in the updates also announced the activation of the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate a robust response to the outbreak, noting that experts who conducted a risk assessment last week placed Nigeria at high risk of increased cholera transmission and impact.
Penpushing further reports that the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, however, in a statement on Monday, advised Nigerians to avoid locally made drinks like kunu, zobo, and fura to prevent the spread of cholera disease.
“Avoid locally prepared drinks like kunu, zobo, fura da nono, koko, and fruit juice among others except it is certain that the preparation was done hygienically and safely. Wash hands regularly with soap under running water, especially after using the toilet, cleaning a child who has gone to the toilet, before preparing food, before and after eating, and after playing with animals’, Salako emphasized
Penpushing also reports that in a related development Lagos State Commissioner for Health Akin Abayomi revealed that the death toll from cholera has increased to 29, with 30 other patients hospitalized.
The Commissioner who spoke at a press conference on Monday pointed out that 579 suspected cases have been recorded with 43 confirmed through laboratory analysis, just as he attributed the increasing death rate to late presentation in the hospital.
“Most of these deaths were caused by patients presenting very late at a stage where we could not resuscitate them because they had severe rehydration and many patients were brought in dead,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that Abayomi stated that nearly two weeks after the disease outbreak, the state authority is yet to ascertain the specific source that caused the sudden spike in cases across the state, adding that investigation was ongoing.
So far, we have not been able to identify a source, but investigations are continuing because we want to see if we can identify a particular source or sources. But moving forward, we are going to keep active surveillance around our water sources and the distribution of beverages in Lagos State,” Abayomi said while giving an update on the disease’, he stated
Penpushing also reports that Abayomi added and noted that cases of severe gastroenteritis have been reported in communities around Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, on part of her own state disclosed that the state has recorded one death and 25 suspected cholera cases across seven local government areas which include Ado-odo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode.
Penpushing reports that the Commissioner speaking at a press conference said the NCDC DG explained that the activated EOC will be the central hub for coordinating and directing the country’s response to the cholera outbreak.
“Supporting affected states, facilitating rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making processes, mobilising resources, expertise, and support from partners and stakeholders at all levels of government’, she said.
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