The death toll from the cholera outbreak in Lagos State has climbed to 24, as reported by the Lagos State Government on Friday. This figure marks an increase from the previously reported 21 fatalities. The outbreak, which began recently, has also seen a total of 417 suspected cases recorded, with 35 cases confirmed across the state’s 20 local government council areas.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, provided updates following a meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC). She attributed the spike in cases partly to the recent Ileya festivities, during which large gatherings occurred across various communities.

Ogunyemi noted that while suspected cases were declining in previously affected local government areas (LGAs) due to government interventions and surveillance efforts, the state remained vigilant. She emphasized ongoing rigorous surveillance and monitoring efforts by the Ministry of Health and collaborating agencies to curb further spread.

“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and LASEPA, continues to investigate water sources, food, and beverages to identify sources of contamination,” Ogunyemi stated. “We have intensified our surveillance activities in communities, particularly in affected LGAs, to address the situation head-on.”

She urged residents to maintain good hand hygiene, participate in community sanitation activities, and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fever. Treatment for cholera is provided free of charge at all public health facilities in Lagos.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality healthcare to Lagos residents. Ogunyemi extended gratitude to local, national, and international partners—including UNICEF, WHO, NCDC, NIMR, Red Cross, and others—for their support in combating the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has also confirmed cases of cholera, with one fatality and five hospitalized individuals reported. Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, disclosed that the affected person was a 62-year-old woman.

The state governments continue to collaborate closely with health agencies and stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the cholera outbreak and safeguard public health.