On Sunday, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed that 25 cases of severe gastroenteritis, confirmed to be cholera, were reported at Kirikiri Medium Security Prison.
This development contradicts the Nigerian Correctional Service’s (NCoS) recent assertion that custodial centers nationwide were free of cholera.
Abubakar Umar, the NCoS spokesman, previously told PUNCH that routine hygienic measures had kept cholera out of the correctional facilities. However, Prof. Abayomi, through a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, confirmed the outbreak, noting that urgent medical and environmental measures were implemented successfully.
Additionally, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) recorded 118 suspected cholera cases in Katsina State. As of June 24, 2024, NCDC data showed 1,528 suspected cholera cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 53 deaths across 107 local government areas in 31 states. The case fatality rate stood at 3.5 percent since the beginning of the year, with Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos being the most affected states.
To combat the spread, President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of a multi-sectoral cabinet committee on the control of the epidemic, led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.
Prof. Abayomi, providing an update on the cholera outbreak, reported no new cholera-related deaths in the last 72 hours as the government intensified efforts to eliminate transmission. He noted ongoing low-grade community transmission but emphasised that interventions were yielding positive results, with residents adhering to public health advice.
Regarding the Kirikiri incident, Abayomi stated, “We supplied Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention, and other health consumables. The World Health Organisation donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals to support prison health facilities.” He added that water and sanitation issues had been corrected and inspections of other correctional facilities in the state were ongoing.
The original outbreak two weeks ago was traced to unregulated street beverages and contaminated water. Samples taken by undercover officers confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholera bacteria in beverages without NAFDAC accreditation numbers, indicating informal production units. Efforts are underway to identify and shut down these unregulated manufacturers.
In Katsina, Dr. Kabir Suleiman, Director of Epidemiology at Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said 118 suspected cholera cases returned negative. He assured that the state is prepared for any emergency, with trained Rapid Response Teams and established Oral Rehydration Points at health centers.
In Kaduna, Dr. Abdullahi Musa, Incident Manager at the State Primary Health Care Board, confirmed no reported cases of cholera but noted the state’s readiness to respond to any outbreak. Kano State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, also confirmed no cholera cases and emphasized proactive measures taken to prevent an outbreak.
The NCDC expressed concern over improper refuse disposal and open defecation, which endanger water quality and trigger outbreaks of water-borne diseases like cholera. Dr. Jide Idris, NCDC Director-General, urged Nigerians to adopt safe sanitation practices and called on state governments to enforce stricter waste management regulations.
The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) appealed to residents to containerize waste to curb disease spread. OGWAMA Managing Director Abayomi Hunye stressed the importance of proper waste management and avoiding potentially unsafe water sources.
The public is urged to remain calm but vigilant as collaborative efforts continue to combat the cholera outbreak.
