Two persons were confirmed dead, while five have been hospitalised with cholera in Badagry, Lagos.
Medical Director, General Hospital, Badagry, Dr. Olatunde Bakare, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that victims were brought to the hospital by some officials of the correctional centre in the town.
NAN reports that health authorities declared a cholera outbreak in Lagos on June 15 when 436 suspected cases were reported. Six days later, there were more than 500 suspected cases and 43 confirmed cases, with a 5.4 per cent case fatality rate among the suspected cases reported.
Dr. Bakare said that six inmates of the centre were brought to the
hospital on July 9, at about 7.00.p.m. According to him, one of the inmates was brought in dead, while the other died the following morning in the hospital.
“The laboratory test confirmed that they had the disease and they were hospitalized at the emergency axis of the hospital.
“Another inmate was brought in the following day, making five patients receiving treatment now,” he said.
Bakare added that one of the patients had been treated and discharged from the hospital; noting that there was prompt response by the Lagos State Ministry of Health to the centre.
“The ministry have sent in monitoring teams of doctors and environmental service officers to the prison and the General Hospital, Badagry with necessary drugs.
“They brought intravenous fluids and consumables together with environmental improvement and water treatment measures.
“This has led to decline in new cases and marked improvements in the clinical state of those on admission,” he said
NAN correspondent who monitored activities at the hospital observed that five inmates from the centre were receiving treatment in the emergency axis of the hospital. Also at the centre in Awarjigoh quarters in Badagry, NAN reports that a medical doctor was sent from Ikoyi Correctional Centre to ascertain the incident.
The doctor, who refused to mention her name, said that none of the inmates tested was positive, and that all measures had been put in place to curb the outbreak.
Experts advise schools, institutions on food hygiene
Meanwhile, a medical practitioner, Dr. Ben Akuma, has advised schools and public institutions in communities on the need for improved hygiene practices among students and residents.
Akuma gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the call for hygiene practices could never be overemphasised, nor ignored.
Akuma said that washing of hands; fruits and vegetables under running water were part of steps to personal hygiene that should be encouraged regularly, to prevent illnesses such as cholera.
“When dirt is removed from vegetables, the risk of microbiological contamination is reduced as any infected soil or dirt is removed.
“Washing of hands, fruits and vegetables with safe water before eating is necessary. Also meat, fish and vegetables should be properly cooked well.
“Ensure to keep food covered in a clean and cool place, eat fruits and vegetables that you peeled yourself and also avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits not peeled.
“Encourage people to drink only water that they have boiled or treated with chlorine or iodine; these are some of the campaigns that should be ongoing regularly,’’ he said.
The doctor advised schools and other public places to provide wash hand tools, soaps and water to encourage proper hygiene culture.
He described as unfortunate, how some Nigerians only imbibe hygiene culture for a brief period and then return to an unhealthy lifestyle that might threaten their health.
He, however, urged residents in various communities in the FCT to protect themselves, their families and the society at large, by cultivating a hygiene and sanitary culture for the benefit of all.
Similarly, Mr. Williams Kolo, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator, Environmental Health Services Department, Bwari Area Council, said that WASH activities could improve and help prevent and control diseases.
Kolo said the council was working with its partners to improve sanitation and hygiene, especially in primary health centres, public schools and among residents in the various communities in the council.
These interventions, he said included improved water sources, toilet facilities, behavioural change campaigns among others, were part of measures already rolled out to help prevent and control diseases in the area. (NAN)
Raji Rasak
