Death Toll From Lagos Cholera Outbreak Rises

No fewer than 37 deaths have been recorded in the current Cholera outbreak, which has hit 30 states, including Lagos and Ogun.

The Lagos state government has announced that the death tool from the cholera outbreak in the state has risen to 21.

The revelation was made on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs in the state ministry.

The statement comes amidst fear that the disease has spread to more than 30 states in the country.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDCP, put the number of persons that have died from the disease at 37.

Presenting the situation report in the state yesterday, Ogunyemi stated that the state is one of the epicentres of the disease, with the Lagos Island being the most affected.

So far, the state has recorded close to 400 cases and 21 deaths, according to details provided by the government.

Part of the statement: “Following the last update on the cholera outbreak in Lagos, which reported 350 suspected cases and 15 fatalities, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, disclosed that the total number of cholera cases has increased to 401 across Lagos, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recording the highest numbers.

“Dr Ogunyemi revealed this today while providing an update on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. She added that the death toll had also risen to 21, an increase of six from the previously reported 15 fatalities.”

Ogunyemi further stated that the recent upsurge of the disease in the state is due to the large gatherings during the recent Eid el Kabir celebration.

Meanwhile, educational institutions in the state have made the use of face mask mandatory for primary and secondary schools as a way of preventing further spread of the disease.