Local dish - African salad (Abacha)
Six deaths have already been recorded as
the Lagos State Government on Thursday, disclosed that 45 cases of
cholera disease was recorded in Isolo Local Council Development Area
(LCDA) of the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the State Commissioner for
Health, Dr. Jide Idris explained that out of the six cases, two were
brought in dead, adding that 36 cases have been successfully managed in
various hospitals across the state while four people are currently
responding to treatment.
According to a report by Vanguard,
the main source of the outbreak has been traced to local consumption of
Salad called Abacha, a staple food of the residents of Isolo council
area. His words:
“Some domestic wells within the communities are also suspected.
Sample of Abacha salad and well water have been collected and sent to
the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory for analysis.
“Samples were collected from 15 cases and taken to the central
public health laboratory, Yaba. There were no growths, however
continuous culture yielded Vibro cholerae from 7 out of 15 samples. The
Vibro cholera was late confirmed to be Ogawa strain.”
The Health Commissioner pointed out that “the report of the
analysis revealed the presence of vibro cholerae, Salmonella species and
E. Coli in abacha and one of the two well water samples.”
The health commissioner disclosed further that 26 cases of the
disease were managed at Isolo General Hospital and Lagos Mainland
Hospital, 22 have been discharged, one died while three are still on
admission at Lagos Mainland Hospital.
“All the three cases are still on admission and in stable
conditions. 17 of the cases were managed at private health facilities in
Isolo. Out of the 17cases three died. All 14 cases on admission have
been discharged,” he said.
He noted that the symptoms of the disease includes nausea, profuse
diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, leg cramps, and in severe cases leads to
dehydration, coma or death. “The risk of contracting the disease is mainly by poor water and environmental sanitation, including open defecation,” he alerted.
He called on Lagosians to imbibe personal hygiene and other control measures instituted by the state government, he said;
“Lagosians should endeavour to wash their hands with soap and
water frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the rest room.
Boil water before drinking, especially if you are not sure of the source
of water.”
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