Health

Cholera Outbreak: 17 Cases And 15 Deaths Confirmed In Lagos

Published

1 year ago

June 16, 2024

Lagos State government has confirmed 17 cases of cholera out of 350 suspected cases across 29 wards in the state, resulting in 15 fatalities.

Ekwutosblog reports that the government has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, to address the increasing number of severe gastroenteritis cases across multiple local government areas (LGAs) in the state, according to a statement released on Saturday.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, revealed that laboratory investigations have confirmed the presence of Cholera sub-type O-1, which is associated with more severe disease. While cases are subsiding in previously affected LGAs due to interventions and surveillance efforts, new cases are being recorded in previously unaffected areas.

To control the outbreak, the government has collected water, food, and beverage samples from affected LGAs and is conducting inspections of facilities. Cholera kits are being prepositioned in health facilities across the state, and public health education campaigns are underway.

Residents are urged to take precautionary measures, including drinking safe water, cooking food thoroughly, maintaining personal hygiene, and reporting symptoms like watery diarrhea or vomiting immediately.

The Commissioner for ealth noted that the treatment for suspected cholera is provided free of charge at all government facilities, and the government will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates.

“During this Ileya festive season, residents are advised to drink safe water, cook food thoroughly, maintain personal hygiene, wash hands regularly, use sanitiser, and avoid overcrowded places.

“Reporting symptoms like watery diarrhoea or vomiting immediately is also crucial, to save lives and prevent transmission to other members of the community.

“Treatment for suspected cholera is provided free of charge at all government facilities as part of government standard public health response.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates. Residents are advised to stay informed and adhere to public health advisories to ensure their safety and well-being during this period.”

Health

Benue: 107 Yelwata victims still in hospital – Govt official

Published

1 day ago

July 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Benue State Government says at least 107 Yelwata victims were still receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, James Iorpuu, said this during a news briefing in Makurdi on Tuesday.

Ekwutosblog reports that suspected bandits attacked and killed over 200 people in Yelwata community on June 13.

Iorpuu, who doubles as the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, disclosed that the state had witnessed sustained, coordinated fatal attacks since 2011 by bandits.

“What happened in Yelwata had not happened anywhere in the world, should never happen again to any community,” he said.

Health

I Went to a Health Center in Abia, Got Free Medical Tests, Free Diagnosis, Free Drugs

Published

1 week ago

July 8, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Because I have confidence in the standard of healthcare our government is providing in Umuahia South and Abia in general, I went to one of our health centers for treatment.

Test was done free and drugs were given free.

The new Abia is here.

Dr Alex Otti, we proud of you.

Enyinnaya Nwosu

Health

Nigeria records 145 Lassa fever deaths in 2025

Published

3 weeks ago

June 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 145 deaths from Lassa fever in 2025 as the country continues to battle the viral hemorrhagic disease across 18 states.

According to the latest situation report released on Friday by the NCDC for epidemiological week 24 (June 9–15), Nigeria recorded 766 confirmed cases from 5,678 suspected infections.

The case fatality rate stood at 18.9 per cent, up from 17.6 per cent during the same period in 2024.

The agency said that the states most affected were Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, which accounted for 91 per cent of the confirmed cases.

It said that Ondo alone contributed 31 per cent making it the epicentre of the outbreak.

In spite a decline in new confirmed cases — down to eight from 11 the previous week — the Nigerian public health agency said that health authorities remained concerned about the high fatality rate.

The agency said that this was driven by late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, and unsanitary living conditions in high-burden communities.

According to it, efforts to contain the outbreak have included the deployment of Rapid Response Teams to 10 states, risk communication, environmental sanitation campaigns, and training of health workers in high-risk areas.

The NCDC also de-escalated its Incident Management System to alert mode while integrating Lassa fever messages into wider disease awareness campaigns.

The agency has appealed to the public to avoid contact with rodents and to seek prompt medical care at designated treatment centres at the first sign of symptoms such as fever, headache, or bleeding.

The agency continues to urge Nigerians to maintain hygiene, report symptoms early, and avoid contact with rodents and their secretions.

“The public is also encouraged to follow NCDC advisories and utilise the toll-free line 6232 for inquiries,” it said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from the body openings.