Cholera Hits 7 States in Nigeria, 80 Dead

An outbreak of cholera, a disease that
causes unrestrained stooling and
vomitting, has hit Lagos and six other
states in Nigeria , killing up to 80
citizens of the country in recent times.
The Government of Lagos State,
western Nigeria, yesterday said it had
recorded about 15 cases out of which
three residents of the state had died
of the disease.
Weeks ago, nine people died of the
disease, which also infected 100
people in Namu Village in Plateau
state, north-central Nigeria.
The disease killed 50 people in the
northwestern state of Zamfara
recently while eight deaths were
recorded and 10 others hospitalised
from the infection in Oyo state last
month.
In Sokoto state five people died out of
the nine people infected by the
disease in Tambuwal Local
Government Area this month. They
were all aged between 27 and 30.
In July this year, five people were
reported dead after being infected by
the disease in Ogun state, western
Nigeria.
At an emergency news conference at
the Lagos State Government
Secretariat, Alausa, in Ikeja, Lagos, on
Wednesday, the state Commissioner
for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed
the deaths, saying the areas mostly
affected are Ikate community,
Amuwo-Odofin Local Government
Area, Badia area of Apapa Local
Government, Ajeromi, Lagos Island,
Oshodi-Isolo and Surulere local
government areas.
Idris urged people to prepare oral
rehydration solution ( 10 level
teaspoonful of sugar and one level
teaspoonful of salt in two 35cl bottles)
and administer to anyone suspected
of being infected before the person is
rushed to the hospital.
Cholera, a highly contagious intestinal
infection, is reportedly transmitted by
water and food soiled by human
waste. The disease leads to diarrhoea,
dehydration and death if untreated.
The Commissioner gave phone lines:
08023169485 or 0802321333 as the
numbers to call for assistance should
any resident suspect a case of cholera
anywhere.
Agency reports claim Nigeria often
suffers cholera epidemics during the
rainy season, mentioning incidents of
2010 and 2011 in which over 2,000
people were killed.
How To Prevent Cholera
•Always wash your hands thoroughly
with soap and clean water.
•Drink only water that you know is
boiled or treated.
•Eat foods and vegetables, which are
cooked thoroughly and still hot.
•Eat only fruit you peeled yourself.
Avoid raw, uncooked salads and any
food that has been washed with
untreated water.
•Stay away from raw or undercooked
fish or seafood.