The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, announced on Monday that the state government has reported 25 suspected cholera cases, with nine confirmed cases and one fatality.
According to Dr. Coker, eight of the cases involved individuals who had travelled to Lagos State, where they consumed tiger nut drinks.
The commissioner made this statement during a press conference held in Abeokuta on Monday.
Coker said eight carriers of cholera had a travel history to Lagos where six of them took tiger nut milk.
The health commissioner addressed the press alongside other officials, including the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, and the Special Adviser to the governor on media and strategy.
Also present were the General Manager of the State Water Corporation, Mrs. Muinat Jaji, and a representative from the Ministry of Education, Mr. Olumide Majekodunmi.
She said “The initial 8 cases originated from Lagos State, the epicentre of the Cholera outbreak and a state that shares a border with 4 of our local governments.
“The 8 cases had travel history to Lagos and 6 of them reported taking tiger nut drinks while in Lagos.
“Furthermore, we also promptly diagnosed cholera in 5 of the contacts of the patients with a travel history to Lagos State.”
Addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, the commissioner said prior to the outbreak, as part of the state preparedness, a robust surveillance system was in place in all the 20 local government areas, which ensured prompt detection of cases.
Coker said in support of the state response, the state Epidemiology Unit, was on high alert adding that all LGA’s Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers had also intensified surveillance across all 20 council areas.
“All our 20 LGAs have trained rapid-response teams ready to respond to calls at short notice in collaboration with Ogun State Emergency and ambulance service.
“Also, cholera test kits and other consumables needed for treatment have been distributed to all LGAs and designated treatment centres to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment. The treatment of Cholera is free across all government facilities in Ogun State,” she said.
Recall that the Lagos State Government had previously identified an unregistered tiger nut drink as the source of a cholera outbreak affecting multiple local government areas, including Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Kosofe.
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