Flooding: Lagos confirms 2 dead in upsurge of acute diarrhoea cases

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde (left) and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, during the press conference on Tuesday, July 25, 2017..

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, on Tuesday confirmed that two deaths have been recorded from the 27 cases line-listed in acute diarrhoea disease in some local government areas.

Idris, alongside his counterpart from the Ministry of Information, Mr Steve Ayorinde, made this known at a joint news conference in Lagos.
He said that the upsurge of acute diarrhoea cases was the aftermath of flooding experienced by residents in some parts of the state following heavy rainfall in the last few days.
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Idris blamed the outbreak on the heavy rainfall being experienced in the state.
“In the aftermath flooding in some areas in the state, the ministry has been receiving notifications on upsurge of acute diarrhoea diseases in some local government areas. Specifically the upsurge has been reported in Somolu LGA (on 19th July 2017), Oshodi-Isolo LGA (on 20th July 2017) and Surulere LGA (on 21st July 2017).
“Twenty Seven (27) cases have been line-listed by the Epidemiolgy/Disease Surveillance Officers in the State as at today, 25th July, 2017. Regrettably, two (2) deaths were recorded from the 27 cases.
“Somolu LGA: Six (6) cases were recorded in Somolu LGA, one of which died. Four were managed at Somolu GH, one was managed at a private hospital, another one was managed at Mainland Hospital, while one died at home.  Only two of the cases are still on admission.
“Oshodi-Isolo LGA: Two (2) cases were recorded in Oshodi-Isolo LGA. One was managed at a private hospital and he is alive, while one died at home.  Surulere LGA: Fourteen (14) cases were reported at Surulere LGA and managed at Randle General Hospital. No death was recorded.
“Two(2) cases were managed at Mainland Hospital, both are alive. Three (3) cases were managed at Gbagada GH and all are alive. The cases managed at the two hospitals are currently being investigated,” Idris said.
The commissioner said the main suspected source of infection was the contamination of water sources with faecal matter from faulty septic tanks and soak-away following the heavy rainfall.
He, however, disclosed that samples of well water were collected and sent to the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory, adding that the results of the analysis were still being expected.
“It has become necessary to remind the general public once again that acute diarrhoea disease with or without vomiting is caused by a bacteria disease transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with infective faeces.
“Food or water contamination is usually due to poor sanitation and the source of contamination is usually other cholera cases when they are infective watery stool gets into food or drinking water supplies. Prevention can be achieved through basic water sanitation,” the commissioner warned.
Idris, however, contended that provision of safe water and sanitation was critical in reducing the impact of cholera and other water-borne diseases.