Cholera outbreak hit Ogun, claim one death, 25 suspected cases

Dr. Tomi Coker, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, has revealed that the state has 25 suspected cases of cholera in seven local government areas.

Coker clarified that one fatality had been reported, but nine instances had been confirmed.

The state epidemiology unit has been placed on red alert, according to Coker, who made this announcement on Monday while briefing reporters in the capital of Ogun State, Abeokuta.

The impacted local government areas, according to the Commissioner, include Ado Odo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode.

Coker said that the Ministry is coordinating the outbreak response in conjunction with other stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment, Information and Education.

She added that the treatment of cholera is free in all public health facilities across the State and that trained rapid teams across the 20 local government areas are prepared to respond to calls on these following lines; 08038642812; 07034214893 and 08084250881 on short notice.

She said, “as of today 24th, June 2024, the Ogun State has recorded 25 suspected cases of Cholera in 7 LGAs namely, Adoodo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode, with 9 confirmed case and unfortunately, one death.

“At inception, we received the alert on June 12, 2024, about the first two cases. Both cases tested positive with a Cholera rapid diagnostic kit and were managed at the State Hospital, Ota. The two cases had travel history to Lagos State 24 hours prior to presentation.

“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 that some Local Government Areas such as Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ijebu North, Obafemi Owode, Ifo, and Ado-Odo/Ota have been identified to be high-risk areas.

She stated that the fluid movement of people from neighbouring states, especially Lagos, which is the epicentre of the cholera outbreak, has made the disease spread in border LGs areas of the State.

She equally said that cholera vaccines are not currently available in the state urging the citizens to adhere to precautionary measures to ward off this disease.

Speaking during the briefing, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said that the state government has constructed over 60 public toilets across the State to address open defecation.

Oresanya added that the ministry has improved on waste management collection across the state while promising that the Ministry would continue to monitor water channels in areas that are densely populated.

Contributing, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, noted that since cholera would be transmitted through untreated water, his Ministry has despatched its officials with testing kits to test boreholes and other sources of water supply, just as attention would be paid to those producing sachets water.

The Environment Commissioner also disclosed that public toilets are being built across the State to discourage open defecation while landlords and house owners are being encouraged to provide toilet facilities in their houses.

The representative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Oluwole Majekodunmi, said no death has been recorded, while monitoring of schools has been intensified with teachers and learners encouraged to make hand washing a habit while the environment should be kept clean at times.

Also speaking, General Manager, Ogun State Water Corporation, Engr (Mrs.) Muinat Jaji, said government has procured enough chemical for water treatment in major water works in the State just as water has been increased from 82 million litres to 162 million litres to ensure that people in Abeokuta have access to portable water.