Lagos State Confirms Cholera Outbreak at Kirikiri Prison; Receives WHO Support

Lagos State has acknowledged the presence of cholera at Kirikiri prison under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with confirmation from the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

Providing updates on the surge of the disease in Lagos, Abayomi noted that the government has enlisted support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat the infectious outbreak.

The commissioner reported successful implementation of urgent medical and environmental interventions. “We have supplied Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention tools, and essential health supplies,” Abayomi stated.

He added, “Additionally, WHO has generously donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals to enhance prison health facilities, potentially benefiting 3,200 inmates.”

Abayomi attributed the cholera outbreak in Lagos to unregulated street beverages and contaminated water sources identified two weeks ago. “Samples from popular sobo street drinks collected by undercover officials confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae bacteria,” he explained.

Highlighting recent developments, Abayomi announced a notable decrease in daily cholera cases compared to the peak observed earlier. He assured that there have been no new cholera-related deaths in the past 72 hours, attributing the progress to effective interventions.

The commissioner stressed the importance of adhering to public health guidelines and seeking medical attention promptly for symptoms. He underscored ongoing efforts by the state government, including sanitation initiatives with agencies like the Lagos Water Corporation and sanitation bodies.

Abayomi concluded by emphasizing continuous vigilance and public adherence to hygiene practices. He assured the public that cholera treatment remains free at all government hospitals and expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts to combat and manage the outbreak effectively.