The Lagos State Government on Tuesday confirmed 27 cases of diarrhoea outbreak in the state, out of which two people have died so far.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris at a joint news conference in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said following the heavy rainfall being experienced in the State recently and the aftermath flooding of some areas in the State, the state government had been receiving notifications on upsurge of acute diarrhoea diseases in some Local Government Areas.

He said specifically, the upsurge had been reported in Somolu LGA (on 19th July, 2017), Oshodi-Isolo LGA (on 20th July, 2017) and Surulere LGA (on 21st July, 2017).

“Twenty-seven cases have been line-listed by the Epidemiology/Disease Surveillance Officers in the State as at today, 25th July, 2017. Regrettably, two deaths were recorded from the 27 cases,” he said.

Giving a breakdown, the commissioner said in Somolu LGA, six cases were recorded out of which one died, while the others were successfully managed, adding that only two of the cases were still on admission.

“Two cases were recorded in Oshodi-Isolo LGA. One was managed at a private hospital and he is alive, while one died at home. Fourteen cases were reported at Surulere LGA and managed at Randle General Hospital. No death was recorded.

“Two cases were managed at Mainland Hospital, both are alive. Three cases were managed at Gbagada General Hospital and all are alive. The cases managed at the two hospitals are currently being investigated.

“Majority of the cases presented with the typical diarrhoea and vomiting associated with cholera. Ano-rectal swabs were collected from two cases from Somolu General Hospital and taken to the Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba. One of the two specimen yielded Vibrocholerae001 Ogawa serotype growth. The result came in just a few hours ago,” he said.

Idris said the main suspected source of infection was the contamination of water sources with faecal matter from faulty septic tanks and soak-away following the heavy rainfall, adding that samples of well water were collected and sent to the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory, as “we are still expecting the results of the analysis.”

He said it had become necessary to remind the general public once again that acute diarrhoea disease with or without vomiting is caused by a bacteria disease transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with infective faeces.

“Food or water contamination is usually due to poor sanitation and the source of contamination is usually other cholera cases when they are infective watery stool gets into food or drinking water supplies. Prevention can be achieved through basic water sanitation.

“Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical in reducing the impact of cholera and other water-borne diseases. About 75% of people infected with V. cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for 7–14 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.

“Among people who develop symptoms, 80% have mild or moderate symptoms, while around 20% develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if untreated. The case fatality of Cholera ranges from less than 1% in treated cases to as high as 50% in severe cases,” he explained.

Idris said health workers, both in public and private health facilities in the State were advised to observe strict infection control measures and be on the alert and notify the Ministry of Health of suspected cases, while calling on the public to report any case of diarrhoea and vomiting to the nearest health facility or call any of the following lines: 08037170614, 08023169485, 08052817243 and 08173577579.

-PM News