2 die as Lagos records increased cases of diarrhea

Following the rainfall being experienced in Lagos and in the aftermath of the recent flooding, cases of acute diarrhoea diseases have been reported in some parts of the state.

Areas mostly affected include Somolu, Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere. As at today Tuesday, July 25 (today), 27 cases have been line-listed by the Epidemiolgy/Disease Surveillance officers in the state ministry of health, with two deaths recorded.

Jide Idris, the state commissioner for health said six cases have been recorded in Somolu; two in Oshodi-Isolo; 14 cases in Surulere;      two in Mainland and three at the Gbagada General Hospital;

Idris, who briefed the media on the development, said majority of the cases presented with the typical diarrhoea and vomiting associated with cholera.

“Ano-rectal swabs were collected from two cases from Somolu GH and taken to the Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba. One of the two specimen yielded Vibro cholerae 001 Ogawa serotype growth. The result came in just a few hours ago.”

He said the main suspected source of infection was contamination of water with faecal matter from faulty septic tanks and soak-away following the heavy rainfall.

“Samples of well water were collected and sent to the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory. We are still expecting the results of the analysis,” he said.

He added that “It has 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 added.

 

JOSHUA BASSEY