The Lagos state government has announced it is receiving additional support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat the spread of cholera outbreak as the disease hits the Kirikiri medium security prison. The state commissioner for health, Professor Akin Abayomi, revealed this while giving a regularly scheduled briefing on the efforts of government to curb the spread of the highly infectious disease.
Abayomi noted that there has not been a new reported case of cholera related death over a 72 hours period but all hands remain on deck and residents must remain vigilant and adhere with every precautionary measure put in place.
“We were able to supply Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention and other health consumables. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals which have been delivered to the prison to support prison health facilities with prevention strategies for about 3,200 inmates if required. Immediate water and sanitation issues have been corrected and there are ongoing inspections of other correctional facilities in the State,” the Commissioner said.
The commissioner also announced there seem to be a decline from the peak infection rate the state saw two weeks ago but admitted there are still delicate hotspots the state is monitoring. He therefore praised the commitment of residents to maintaining the basic hygiene procedures put in place.
The commissioner also revealed that an investigation conducted by undercover agents of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Ministry of Health in the affected areas confirmed the presence of vibrio cholera bacteria which is the cause of cholera in street beverages.
“All of the containers had no NAFDAC accreditation numbers, indicating they are small cottage backyard informal production units. Identifying the precise location of manufacture has proven difficult and 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,” Abayomi said.
He noted that the state government through its interagency “One Health” approach is enforcing environmental health countermeasures in collaboration with Lagos Water Corporation and sanitation agencies (LAWMA and LASWAMO) to ensure; widespread sanitation activities, inspection and disinfection of boreholes, supplying of potable water to affected local governments, and enforcement and stricter regulations on local beverage manufacturers.
“Henceforth and as approved by Mr. Governor, a higher sanitary and regulatory standard of eateries, food handlers, beverage manufacturers and groundwater will be implemented and enforced to curb the burden of food and water-borne diseases in Lagos,” he added.
He also added that treatment for suspected cholera cases remain free statewide and urged residents not to panic.
