Findings from tests have revealed that the recent disease outbreak in Lagos State is linked to cholera, with the identified strain being described as extremely aggressive and easily transmissible by Professor Akin Abayomi, the State’s Health Commissioner.
In a statement released on Monday, Abayomi highlighted the concerning nature of the strain, mentioning its potential for rapid spread within the community.
Through diligent community outreach efforts and contact tracing, the Commissioner reported a peak in case numbers followed by a subsequent decline.
“Laboratory analyses have provided clarity on the cholera outbreak, confirming its presence and the concerning characteristics of the identified strain, which possesses a high level of aggressiveness and transmissibility, increasing the risk of widespread infection,” Abayomi articulated.
Discussing the distribution of suspected cases across different Local Government Areas, he pointed out that Lagos Island had the highest number of cases with 106, followed by Kosofe with 49, Eti-Osa with 38, and other areas with varying case counts.
The Commissioner also revealed that a total of 350 suspected cholera cases were reported in 29 wards spanning multiple LGAs in Lagos State, with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities linked to severe dehydration resulting from delayed medical intervention.