Cholera Outbreak Claims 12 Lives in Ogun State, Raises Concerns Over Open Defecation

 

The state government of Ogun has reported a cholera outbreak that has claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals within a month. On September 17, the Ogun State Ministry of Health issued a warning about the cholera outbreak initially detected in the Ijebu North Local Government Area. Read full article 

This disease has subsequently spread to the Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South Local Governments, resulting in 246 confirmed cases, with Ijebu North alone accounting for 217 cases.

Dr. Tomi Coker, the Commissioner for Health, has confirmed the 12 fatalities among the recorded cases. During a meeting with stakeholders at the ministry in Abeokuta, she provided an update on the situation. 

Coker expressed concern about the relatively high fatality rate of 44.6 percent for a state with educational standards like Ogun, attributing the outbreak to a significant issue of open defecation in the state.

Coker emphasized the importance of refraining from open defecation and maintaining proper hygiene as essential measures to combat the disease.

 She noted that open defecation had led to the contamination of water sources by fecal matter, contributing to the outbreak. As a response, the government has initiated the chlorination of wells in Ijebu North to restore normalcy and address the issue.