LASG Warn Residents, Says Cholera Strain Is Highly Aggressive, Contagious

By Akinwale Kasali

The outbreak of Cholera in Lagos is yet to abate, as the Lagos State Government has advised residents to be cautious because Cholera Strain is highly aggressive and contagious.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said that laboratory investigation has confirmed the strain to be cholera sub-type O-1, adding that the subtype is associated with more severe diseases.

Abayomi in a post on his X Handle (Formerly Twitter), said the identified strain is “highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.”

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

He said: “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 tw, and Amuwo-Odofin with one.

“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.”

It would be recalled that Lagos has recorded 17 confirmed cases of cholera and 15 fatalities so far.