The Lagos State Government late Wednesday announced the establishment of an emergency alert following the outbreak of cholera in some of local government areas of the state, saying three people had been killed by the disease.
The State Government said since it heard of the outbreak, it has been doing everything possible to curb the spread of the disease to other parts of the state.
Speaking at an emergency news conference at the State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said that the government had report of 13 cases of cholera infection in different areas of the state while three of the affected residents have been confirmed dead. He said some of the affected persons have been discharged from the hospital while the others were still undergoing treatment.
The commissioner listed worst hit areas to include the Ikare community in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area; the densely populated Badia, a slum area in Apapa Local Government Area; Ajeromi; Lagos Island; Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere Local Government.
Investigations by the ministry showed the affected persons contacted the disease through unhygienic habits and infected foods like the African Sallad (Abasha) as well as contaminated well water, according to the commissioner.
Urging the public to be very vigilant, he advised that they report any suspected case of that nature to any health centre in Lagos and to further reach the State Government through mobile phone numbers 08023169485 or 0802321333.
He also warned health workers to be alert and promptly report cases of the disease to the government once the number of those affected exceeded five.
The commissioner, a medical expert, said cholera is an acute contagious bacterial disease characterised by severe form of sudden onset of profuse painless watery stools, nausea and profuse vomiting. He said the disease is contacted through contaminated food or water and could be transmitted through many means, including direct and indirect contamination of water or food by faeces of infected individuals.
He said cholera should be suspected in any person who develops diarrhoea with or without vomiting, weakness, restlessness, irritability, dry mucous membrane, low blood pressure, leg cramps, excessive loss of body fluids (dehydration) or dies from frequent stooling, hence, adequate measures should be taken in order to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
He advised residents to always wash their hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, boil water before drinking if the source of the water is in doubt, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, cook foods thoroughly before eating, dispose waste material properly, and keep water containers clean.
He also advised that once detected in anybody, that person should be given oral rehydration solution. This is done by adding 10 level teaspoonful of sugar and one level teaspoonful of salt in two 35cl bottles. He advised that while this is done to boost energy, the patient should be rushed to the hospital.
