Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, announced that recent tests have confirmed a cholera outbreak in the state, identifying the strain as highly aggressive and contagious.
On his X page, Abayomi highlighted the potential for this strain to spread widely. However, he noted that thanks to community-based case finding and contact tracing, the number of cases has peaked and is now on the decline.
He wrote, “Cholera Confirmation: Laboratory tests have confirmed that the outbreak is due to cholera. The identified strain is highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination.”
According to Abayomi, the outbreak’s epicenter is Lagos Island 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 two, and Amuwo-Odofin with one.
He added, “350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in Lagos State, with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation.”
