Cholera Outbreak: FG Urged To Deploy Vaccines To Schools As Death Toll Rises

By Akinwale Kasali

A call has gone to the Federal Government to make Vaccines available in Schools around the country to curtail the spread of Cholera.

The outbreak is having a heavy toll on Lagos State as 24 deaths has been recorded, with 35 confirmed cases and 417 suspected cases across the State as of Friday, July 21, 2024.

Experts are of the opinion that the outbreak is not just a national concern but a local fight for survival, particularly in areas where access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a luxury.

A situation report issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, last Friday (EPI Week 25), as of 19th of June, 2024, revealed that the outbreak has swept across the 20 LGAs.

While the highest outbreak occurred in Ajeromi, Kosofe, Epe, Ikorodu, Alimosho and Eti-Osa LGAs, as of 10th of June, 2024, the Commissioner said there is the need to adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene to stay safe from infection risk.

However, in what seems like an attack on cholera in countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a resurgence of cholera worldwide.

The FG is being urged to provide a vaccine that would be used in Schools for children to curb the situation.

Aside Lagos State, other States in the country that has high casualties  include: Oyo, Kano, Ondo and Ekiti States.