The Lagos State Government has identified an unregistered tiger nut drink as the cause of the recent cholera outbreak in the state.
The outbreak has affected several local government areas, including Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Kosofe, with hospitals reporting the highest number of cases.
As of June 21, Lagos recorded 24 deaths and 35 confirmed cholera cases, with Eti-Osa identified as the epicenter of the outbreak in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
In an interview with reporters on Saturday, Kemi Ogunyemi, the special adviser to the Lagos state governor on health, stated that upon observing a rise in suspected cholera cases in Eti-Osa LGA, the government conducted a direct assessment of the area.
Ogunyemi revealed that a survey indicated a common factor: a tiger nut drink that was not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“We found empty bottles with a name on them, but discovered they weren’t registered with NAFDAC, the regulatory body that ensures the safety of consumables,” Ogunyemi said.
The bottles had a phone number and a name, which led to contact tracing similar to the methods used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts, no full bottles were found, only empty ones, making it impossible to test the drink directly. The phone number on the bottles was also unreachable.
Given that cholera is water-borne, authorities took water samples for testing, along with stool samples from affected individuals. The tests confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae subtype 01, the most infectious and aggressive type of cholera.
Ogunyemi stressed the importance of practicing good hygiene and ensuring that consumables are registered with the appropriate government agencies.
Residents are urged to be vigilant about the safety and registration status of the items they purchase for consumption.
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