Prof Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Health Commissioner, has announced that tests have confirmed the recent disease outbreak in the state is due to cholera, and the identified strain is highly aggressive and contagious.
Abayomi stated on his X page on Monday that the identified strain has the potential for widespread dissemination.
The commissioner noted that through community-based case finding and contact tracing, the number of cases has peaked and is now declining.
He wrote, “Cholera Confirmation: Laboratory tests have confirmed that the outbreak is due to cholera. The identified strain is highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.”
“The geographical distribution of suspected cases by Local Government Area showed that Lagos Island is the epicenter 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.”
Abayomi added that, “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.”