The Lagos State government has received additional support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat a cholera outbreak at Kirikiri prison.
“We were able to supply Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention, and other health consumables,” said Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi. He announced that urgent medical and environmental measures have been successfully implemented.
Jerrymusa.com reports that the WHO has donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals to support prevention strategies for the inmates. “Immediate water and sanitation issues have been corrected, and there are ongoing inspections of other correctional facilities in the state,” Abayomi added.
Contaminated Water a Major Challenge
The cholera outbreak in Lagos has been traced to unregulated street beverages and contaminated water supplies, identified as the primary sources two weeks ago.
“All of the containers had no NAFDAC accreditation numbers, indicating they are small cottage backyard informal production units,” Abayomi explained. Environmental officers have collected samples from street beverages, which tested positive for Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
The government is working to seal unregulated manufacturing units and arrest those involved in the production and distribution of unregulated beverages.
While there has been a significant improvement in daily cholera cases, the government acknowledges ongoing low-grade community transmission. “No new deaths have been reported in the past 72 hours, and efforts are being escalated to eradicate transmission entirely,” Abayomi said.
The government is implementing environmental health measures, including sanitation efforts, inspection and disinfection of boreholes, and provision of safe drinking water. “A higher sanitary and regulatory standard will be enforced to curb food and water-borne diseases,” Abayomi announced.
The public is urged to take personal responsibility by consuming safe water, food, and beverages, maintaining good personal hygiene, and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms occur.
“Suspected cholera treatment remains free at government hospitals,” Abayomi reassured. “There is no cause for panic, and we are committed to combating and controlling the spread of cholera.”