Lagos State Battles ‘Highly Aggressive, Contagious’ Cholera With 350 Suspected Cases, 15 Deaths

The Lagos State government on Monday disclosed that the strain of cholera in the state is highly aggressive and contagious.

Prof Akin Abayomi, the commissioner for health in Lagos State, while giving an update on the cholera outbreak in the state, in a post on X, said the identified strain was highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.

“Morbidity and Mortality: 350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in Lagos State with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation,” he said.

He explained that laboratory tests carried out on samples confirmed that the disease outbreak in the state was due to cholera. and the identified strain was highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.

Abayomi said through community-based case finding and contact tracing, the government observed that the number of cases “has peaked and is now significantly declining”.

“The geographical distribution of suspected cases by Local Government Area showed that Lagos Island is the epicentre of the outbreak with 106 cases, followed by Kosofe with 49; Eti-Osa with 38; Lagos Mainland with 30; Ojo with 17; Ikorodu with 16; Shomolu with 11; Surulere with nine; Apapa with eight; Mushin with eight; Ifako Ijaiye with eight; Alimosho with four; Ajeromi-Ifelodun with four; Oshodi-Isolo with three; Ikeja with three; Ibeju Lekki with two; Badagry with two; and Amuwo-Odofin with one,” the post reads.

“We are receiving support from the NCDC and International partners, including the WHO Nigeria and UNICEF Nigeria.

“Local Non-Governmental organizations are actively involved in raising awareness and conducting community-based surveillance efforts.”

Lagos had recorded 17 confirmed cases of cholera and 15 fatalities so far.

It also said laboratory investigation has confirmed the strain to be cholera sub-type O-1, adding that the subtype is associated with more severe diseases.