Oyo, Ogun raise alert levels, as death toll in nationwide cholera outbreak mounts

Oyo and Ogun states have raised their alert levels following the nationwide outbreak of the cholera disease which has so far claimed the lives of 30 people with 1,141 victims hospitalized at various medical centres across the country.

While the Oyo Government, Sunday, issued a call for more vigilance and the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a potential cholera outbreak in the state, Ogun State, on its part, announced precautionary measures to prevent a possible outbreak of cholera in its environ.

A statement signed by the Oyo Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, quoted the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, as giving the charge during her visit to a private hospital in Ibadan, the state capital, where two suspected cholera cases were receiving treatment.

Dr Ajetunmobi stated that cholera is a bacterial infection spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by the faeces (poop) of an infected person.

She explained that cholera is highly infectious and can cause severe acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration, noting that it may be associated with nausea, profuse vomiting, and fever.

The Commissioner disclosed that the two suspected cases in Ibadan, which had been tracked down to a private facility in the state, are male workers at a construction site in Lekki Peninsula, Lagos State, affirming that there is no cause for alarm as the Ministry and other partners are on top of the situation.

She reiterated the response efforts of the state government, through the Ministry, at ensuring that the state does not record casualties from the cholera outbreak from Lagos state.

Ajetunmobi enumerated the response efforts to include: the deployment of LGA DSNO, promotional jingles in English and Yoruba running in different media houses, immediate inauguration of the Cholera technical working group, and putting IDC Olodo into active mode for isolation and management.

“Others are: Reaching out to all surveillance rangers at the LGA level to intensify surveillance activities, re-posting of cholera case definition on the platform of community informants for updates, awareness and sensitisation of gatekeepers, and other well-established community structures,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Ogun government on Saturday in Abeokuta announced precautionary measures to prevent a possible outbreak of cholera in the state, following events in several states of the country.

Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, in a statement said the governor was seriously concerned about the development.

“We have to take action in view of the need to protect the people in the state, considering the proximity to Lagos and the degree of interactions between the two states,” he said.

He reeled out the measures as including the directive about toilets, stipulating that all houses must have toilets.

“Any house without a toilet should identify a room to be converted to a toilet. Residents are given three to six months of grace for compliance.

“All petrol stations must have functional public toilets with running water as part of their corporate social responsibilities.

“All garages, parks, markets and mechanic villages must have functional toilets with running water.

“All schools (public and private) should have public toilets with running water,” he said.

Akinade added that, in addition to these measures, residents are advised to drink only safe water which is either boiled or chlorinated.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Friday, reported a surge in cholera cases across the country, with 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases, resulting in 30 deaths from January 1st to June 11th, 2024.

The increase in cases is largely attributed to the intensifying rainy season, which has exacerbated the spread of the disease.

Director General of NCDC Dr. Jide Idris, announced in a statement that “Cholera remains a significant public health challenge, particularly during the rainy season when water sources are more susceptible to contamination.”

He emphasized the need for urgent and concerted efforts to curb the outbreak.

The report highlights that the outbreak spans 96 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 states.

Ten states, namely Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos, have contributed to 90% of the total cholera burden. This widespread distribution underscores the necessity for nationwide interventions.

“In response, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group. This team, which includes the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and other partners, is actively providing support to affected states,” he noted.

He urged healthcare workers to maintain heightened surveillance and report suspected cases promptly.

Communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities are at the highest risk.

The NCDC warned that the disease has a higher transmission risk in areas lacking adequate sanitation facilities and a regular supply of clean water.

The agency urged state governments to prioritize solutions that ensure access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

“We call for urgent improvement in access to clean water and sanitation facilities, emphasizing that such improvements are crucial to preventing future outbreaks.

“As Nigeria battles this cholera outbreak, the NCDC continues to collaborate with international and local partners to lead the health-sector response, “Our collective efforts are crucial in controlling this outbreak and preventing further loss of lives. We must all play our part in ensuring a healthier future for our communities,” he added.