Death toll from Lagos cholera outbreak rises to 24, confirmed cases at 35

The Lagos state government says the death toll from the cholera outbreak in the state has risen to 24.

Providing an update on his X page, Akin Abayomi, Lagos commissioner for health, said as of June 19, 417 suspected cases have been recorded out of which 35 have been confirmed.

He added that 24 infected patients have now died of cholera in the state.

On June 11, Abayomi said five people had died, while about 60 residents were hospitalised as a result of a suspected cholera outbreak in some parts of the city.

Days later, the commissioner confirmed the cholera outbreak and said there have been 350 suspected cases, out of which 17 have been confirmed cases, with 15 fatalities.

Kemi Ogunyemi, special adviser to the Lagos governor on health, said a rise in cases was anticipated following the Eid-el Kabir celebration.

She said the ministry of health, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), continues to collect samples of water sources, food, and beverages to identify the source of contamination.

“We have also intensified our surveillance activities in communities, particularly in affected local government areas, to address the situation head-on,” she said.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced that there has been a resurgence of cholera worldwide.

The organisation said from January 1, 2024 to May 26, 2024, a total of 194,897 cholera cases and 1,932 deaths were reported from 24 countries across five regions.