The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, announced that 25 severe gastroenteritis cases caused by Cholera have been reported at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
The announcement came through a press statement on Sunday, June 30, 2024 by the State Ministry of Health’s Director of Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
In response, the state has implemented urgent medical and environmental measures. “We were able to supply Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention, and other health consumables,” Prof. Abayomi said. He added that the World Health Organization donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals to aid prison health facilities.
Prof. Abayomi updated on the cholera outbreak following the “One Health” Inter-governmental agency strategic meeting held over the weekend. He noted a reduction in new cases and no new cholera-related deaths in the past 72 hours but acknowledged ongoing low-grade community transmission. He emphasized, “Interventions are bearing dividends as residents adhere to public health information and advice.”
The source of the original outbreak, traced to unregulated street beverages and contaminated water supply, has led to inspections and planned shutdowns of informal production units lacking NAFDAC accreditation. The Commissioner warned, “The directorate of environmental health is planning to seal any such unregulated manufacture and make arrests of anybody involved with the manufacture or distribution of beverages without NAFDAC numbers.”
In collaboration with the Lagos Water Corporation and sanitation agencies, the state enforces sanitation measures, including the inspection and disinfection of boreholes. Prof. Abayomi urged the public to ensure safe consumption practices and good personal hygiene and to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop. Treatment for suspected cholera remains free in all government hospitals.
