The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday that it might declare an emergency due to the cholera outbreak in the country. Dr. Jide Idris, the NCDC Director General, addressed the situation in Lagos, stating that the centre was closely monitoring developments and would consider declaring an emergency if the outbreak exceeded manageable levels.
Dr. Olajide spoke at the Adetokunbo Alakija Memorial Travel Medicine Lecture held at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, organized by the Nigerian Society of Travel Medicine. According to reports from The PUNCH, Nigeria is currently grappling with a cholera outbreak affecting 30 states. On Tuesday, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the International Organisation for Migration convened an emergency meeting in Lagos, as disclosed by Dr. Walter Mulombo, WHO Country Representative.
The NCDC’s recent report indicates that between January 1 and June 11, 2024, there have been over 1,141 suspected cases and more than 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths across 96 LGAs in 30 states. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Ministry of Health has reported 350 suspected cases in 29 wards across multiple LGAs, with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation.
Addressing the theme “Collaborative Platforms and Networks, Strengthening Travel Medicine in Nigeria” at the lecture, NCDC DG Olajide responded to inquiries regarding the cholera outbreak, stating that the agency was conducting a risk assessment. He emphasized the importance of preventive measures and readiness in combating such disease outbreaks, stressing the need for facilities like isolation centers and adequate human resources.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, highlighted the environmental factors contributing to cholera and underscored the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health and environmental agencies to tackle the issue. She urged individuals to prioritize personal hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease.
Furthermore, the Lagos State Government issued precautionary guidelines on cholera prevention to schools, parents, and guardians on Wednesday. The guidelines emphasized strict hygiene practices for school food handlers to prevent contamination and the spread of diseases.
