Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, has stated that the specific cause of the recent cholera outbreak in Lagos has yet to be identified. Although investigations are ongoing, no locally made beverages containing the cholera bacteria have been discovered so far.
VANGUARD
Contrary to media reports that the cholera outbreak in Lagos originated from the ingestion of local tiger nut drink, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, has said the cause is yet to be identified.
Disclosing the development on his X handle on Saturday, Akin Abayomi said the fresh cases were recorded as of 20th June 2024, 24 hours after the state announced an increase in deaths recorded from the disease.
Abayomi in a series of infographics made available to Sunday Vanguard revealed that cases were reported from Agege, Badagry, Ikeja, Mushin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo, Alimosho, and Eti-Osa, Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere.
He said that the Emergency Operations Centre, in collaboration with all relevant partners, is actively engaged in contact tracing, community-based surveillance, awareness campaigns, sample testing, and ensuring that confirmed cholera cases receive appropriate medical treatment.
He advised residents to adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene.
Although, there were speculations that the Lagos cholera may have emanated from locally-made tiger nut drinks, a source in the State Ministry of health, told Sunday Vanguard, that the cause of the outbreak was yet unknown as the state was still conducting investigations in different areas.
In a confirmation statement, Abayomi told Sunday Vanguard that the cause is yet to be identified.
“We have not been able to identify and batch of locally made beverages that contain the cholera bacteria as of now, but we are still searching.”
