On Monday, the Lagos State government announced that the cholera strain in Lagos is highly aggressive and contagious.
In a post on X, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, confirmed the outbreak in the state and described the identified strain as "highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread dissemination."
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So far, Lagos has recorded 17 confirmed cases of cholera and 15 fatalities. Laboratory investigations have confirmed the strain to be cholera sub-type O-1, which is associated with more severe diseases.
Abayomi stated that through community-based case finding and contact tracing, the government observed that the number of cases "has peaked and is now significantly declining."
He detailed the geographical distribution of suspected cases by Local Government Area, highlighting Lagos Island as the epicenter with 106 cases, followed by Kosofe with 49; Eti-Osa with 38; Lagos Mainland with 30; Ojo with 17; Ikorodu with 16; Shomolu with 11; Surulere with nine; Apapa with eight; Mushin with eight; Ifako Ijaiye with eight; Alimosho with four; Ajeromi-Ifelodun with four; Oshodi-Isolo with three; Ikeja with three; Ibeju Lekki with two; Badagry with two; and Amuwo-Odofin with one.
"We are receiving support from the NCDC and international partners, including WHO Nigeria and UNICEF Nigeria. Local non-governmental organizations are actively involved in raising awareness and conducting community-based surveillance efforts," he added.
