Two die as cholera outbreak hits Lagos

At least two persons have been confirmed dead, while 25 other residents of Lagos State
are receiving treatment in hospitals following an outbreak of cholera  in three local government areas of the state

The Lagos State Government at a press conference in Alausa on Tuesday that,the outbreak was due to the heavy rainfall being experienced and the aftermath of flooding in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said, 

“Twenty-seven cases have been listed by our epidemiology/disease surveillance officers as of today, July 25, 2017. Two deaths were recorded from the 27 cases.”

“In Oshodi-Isolo LGA, two cases were recorded. One was managed at a private hospital and he is alive, while one died at home.  In Surulere LGA, 14 cases were reported and managed at Randle General Hospital. No death was recorded,” the commissioner said.

“The main suspected source of infection is the contamination of water sources with faecal matter from faulty septic tanks and soakaway, following the heavy rainfall in the state. Samples of well water have been collected and sent to the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory. We are still expecting the results,” Idris added.

“The clinical manifestations of cholera are nausea, profuse diarrhoea, vomiting (in early stages of illness), fever, and leg cramp. Later presentations are dehydration, shock or coma,” he added.

Idris said the government had instituted measures to contain the outbreak.