Cholera Outbreak in Lagos Sparks Health Crisis
Lagos, a major commercial city in Nigeria, is currently facing a severe cholera outbreak that is affecting various communities, resulting in multiple deaths and hospitalizations. Despite government assurances of control, inadequate sanitation practices such as open defecation and poor hygiene are prevalent.
Lagos, known for its global recognition as the 19th best city to visit in the world, appears to be struggling with issues of open defecation and improper waste disposal, contributing to the current health crisis.
The recent cholera outbreak, with its fatal consequences, has highlighted the lack of access to basic sanitation facilities, particularly in densely populated areas like Ilaje, Bariga, and Oworonshoki in the Kosofe Local Government Area.
Residents, like Bukola Olusoji in Bariga, are forced to resort to unconventional methods of waste disposal due to the absence of proper toilets. The grim reality of disposing faecal matter in open areas reflects the dire hygiene conditions in these communities.
The sight of overflowing garbage bins in Bariga, Oworonshoki, and Ilaje underscores the urgent need for improved waste management practices to prevent the spread of diseases.
Escalation of Cholera Cases
In response to the cholera outbreak, the Lagos State government has initiated emergency surveillance and intervention measures to contain the situation. With reported deaths and hospitalizations across various communities, there is a pressing need for preventive actions and public vigilance.
The surge in severe gastroenteritis cases underscores the devastating impact of the outbreak, with a particular focus on Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe LG areas.
Experts warn that the combination of open defecation, poor sanitation habits, and improper waste disposal significantly raises the risk of a widespread cholera epidemic.
Unsanitary Conditions in Communities
Exploring areas like Oworonshoki reveals the alarming prevalence of open defecation due to the absence of adequate toilet facilities. The community’s reliance on unsafe disposal methods, such as emptying faeces into open water channels, poses a severe health hazard.
The lack of proper waste management infrastructure and the contamination of water sources with faecal matter point to a larger sanitation crisis plaguing these communities.
Addressing the root causes of these unsanitary conditions, including the inadequate provision of toilets and dysfunctional waste systems, is crucial in preventing recurrent cholera outbreaks.
“The stench here is because some people choose to dispose of their waste in the canal,”
Similar challenges in Bariga, Ilaje
In Olowolagba, Ibrahim, and Jide streets in Bariga, a similar scenario unfolded.
During the investigation, PUNCH Healthwise observed over 100 homes near the lagoon without proper toilet facilities.
Some houses had basic bathrooms made of corrugated iron sheets, while others lacked facilities, leading tenants to resort to improvised methods like using wrappers hanging on stilts for necessary functions.
Asides from the unsightly presence of waste in these areas, piles of garbage were rampant in various parts of the vicinity.
The blocked gutters, filled with plastic bottles and single-use plastics, became breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Evidently, the aftermath of recent heavy rains left a visible mark of flooding in the area.
Despite these troubling conditions, residents conversing with PUNCH Healthwise claimed no reported cholera cases in the area.
One resident, who preferred anonymity, expressed how the lack of sanitation facilities was not just an inconvenience but a matter of life and death for them.
“My children frequently fall sick. We live in constant fear of diseases, but we have nowhere else to go,” he expressed.
When questioned about the absence of a toilet in his house, he mentioned that the makeshift structure he had was destroyed by flood waters.
“Can’t you see some houses ruined by floods?” he retorted with a hint of frustration.
“During rains, many houses get flooded. Yet, we can’t relocate as there are no alternatives,” he added.
“Building a modern toilet requires substantial funds which we currently can’t afford as survival is our priority,” he lamented.
Health Challenges
“Though we haven’t encountered cholera, dealing with illness is a constant battle here,” one resident expressed.
“Children grapple with diarrhoea, while malaria and typhoid affect adults. The rainy season exacerbates these health issues,” another highlighted.
“When it rains, the canal overflows, flooding filth into our homes. It’s unbearable to see waste floating inside our living spaces. The return of rains only heightens our anxieties. We implore the government to intervene and assist us,” they appealed.
In Ifelodun, Ilaje, a similar scenario unfolded with clogged gutters rampant with plastics. The absence of toilets in houses coupled with frequent flooding was a shared concern.
Residents lamented the lack of government action on their distress, resorting to using polythene bags for waste disposal, tossed into the nearby lagoon.
Mrs. Joy Bankole stressed the need for essential amenities and a clean, safe environment for their families.
Joshua Adegoke bemoaned the persistent neglect they faced, emphasizing the imminent risk due to unhygienic conditions and inadequate drainage.
Consequences of Open Defecation
A study titled “Open Defecation and Cholera in the Global South: A systematic review and meta-analysis” revealed a direct link between open defecation and increased cholera risk, along with other waterborne diseases.
Published in 2016 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the study highlighted that areas with prevalent open defecation had a significantly higher cholera risk compared to areas with proper sanitation.
It further indicated that densely populated regions with poor water quality were at a heightened risk for cholera outbreaks.
The adverse effects of open defecation extend to various health conditions like stunting, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections.
Cholera, classified as a highly contagious disease, spreads through contaminated food and water, causing severe acute diarrhoea that can be fatal if untreated quickly.
As per the World Health Organization, infected individuals, mostly asymptomatic, shed cholera bacteria in their waste, posing infection risks to others.
Recent data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported 65 confirmed cholera cases with 30 fatalities from January 1 to June 11 in 96 local governments across 30 states.
The NCDC issued a health advisory anticipating a surge in cholera cases during the rainy season.
Preventive measures advised by the NCDC include access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation, waste disposal, hygiene practices like handwashing, and avoiding risky food consumption.
To mitigate cholera risks, boiling water for consumption, maintaining hygiene, cooking food thoroughly, and refraining from open defecation are crucial.
The NCDC is advising residents to ensure proper waste disposal and frequent clearing of sewage, especially to prevent indiscriminate refuse dumping.
In cases of sudden watery diarrhoea, the recommendation is not to self-medicate but to visit a healthcare facility promptly.
Fighting open defecation remains a significant challenge.
Open defecation, also known as OD, refers to the act of openly defecating in exposed areas without appropriate waste disposal, posing serious environmental and health hazards, particularly in third-world countries.
A UNICEF and WHO joint report highlighted the lack of toilets as a leading cause of illness and death among children.
Nigeria was ranked 5th globally in open defecation, with millions still practicing it despite efforts to eradicate the practice.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari declared a state of emergency in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector in a bid to eliminate open defecation by 2025.
However, recent statistics show that many Nigerians still resort to open fields for defecation.
Only a fraction of local councils have been declared Open Defecation Free, indicating slow progress.
Proper waste disposal is crucial in preventing cholera outbreaks, as indicated by a study linking solid waste disposal to higher cholera risks in areas with improper waste management.
Communities lacking proper toilets and waste disposal systems are particularly vulnerable to cholera outbreaks, underscoring the importance of adequate sanitation infrastructure.
Health experts stress the need for good hygiene practices, proper sanitation, and timely responses to prevent cholera spread.
Establishing early warning systems and prioritizing sanitation infrastructure are vital in averting cholera outbreaks and safeguarding communities.
The pollution of water bodies due to improper waste disposal can elevate the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera, necessitating urgent intervention.
Efforts to contact the Ministry of Environment officials were unsuccessful, highlighting the need for stronger government engagement in waste management.
The Ministry of Health redirected inquiries on waste management issues to the Ministry of Environment, indicating a need for coordinated efforts in addressing sanitation challenges.