Cholera in Nigeria - The outbreak of the life-threatening bacteria
disease, cholera, in Nigeria has hit the economic capital city of Lagos,
where it has claimed three lives, according to the eponymous state
government.
The spread to Lagos of the disease, which has already killed many people in the northern states of Plateau and Zamfara, has created panic among the estimated 15 million residents of the city.
Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health told journalists that 13 cases were reported at the various healthcare centres across the sprawling city, out of which three deaths were recorded.
'Most of the suspected cases are from Ajeromi, Amuwo Odofin, Apapa, Lagos Island, Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere,” Lagos State Commissioner for Health Jide Idris told journalists here Wednesday.
He said from the surveillance activities and investigations carried out, well water and a local delicacy known as ‘Abasa’ were the major causes of the outbreak.
To avert more casualties, he advised members of the public to be vigilant and to report any suspected case, dead or alive, to the nearest health centre and the directorate of disease control in the state Ministry of Health.
Cholera is an acute contagious bacterial disease that is characterised by severe form of sudden onset of profuse painless watery stools, nausea and profuse vomiting.
It is acquired through the ingestion of an infective dose of contaminated food or water and can be transmitted through many mechanisms like direct or indirect contamination of water or food by faeces of infected individuals.
The spread to Lagos of the disease, which has already killed many people in the northern states of Plateau and Zamfara, has created panic among the estimated 15 million residents of the city.
Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health told journalists that 13 cases were reported at the various healthcare centres across the sprawling city, out of which three deaths were recorded.
'Most of the suspected cases are from Ajeromi, Amuwo Odofin, Apapa, Lagos Island, Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere,” Lagos State Commissioner for Health Jide Idris told journalists here Wednesday.
He said from the surveillance activities and investigations carried out, well water and a local delicacy known as ‘Abasa’ were the major causes of the outbreak.
To avert more casualties, he advised members of the public to be vigilant and to report any suspected case, dead or alive, to the nearest health centre and the directorate of disease control in the state Ministry of Health.
Cholera is an acute contagious bacterial disease that is characterised by severe form of sudden onset of profuse painless watery stools, nausea and profuse vomiting.
It is acquired through the ingestion of an infective dose of contaminated food or water and can be transmitted through many mechanisms like direct or indirect contamination of water or food by faeces of infected individuals.
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