Oyo State has recorded 201 suspected cholera cases as of September 2024, with one confirmed death attributed to the disease. The State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, Mrs. Titilope Akinleye, shared this update during a cholera emergency meeting at the Oyo Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. The meeting was attended by representatives from key health and environmental agencies, including the Ministries of Environment, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), WHO, UNICEF, the Red Cross, and IVN.
According to Mrs. Akinleye, week 39 (the last week of September) saw a significant spike in cholera cases, with 79 suspected cases, five confirmed positive, and one death reported in Ibadan North. The local government areas with the highest number of suspected cholera cases include Ido (87), Akinyele (38), Ibadan South West (15), Ibadan North West (14), Ibadan North East (13), and Lagelu (10). Most of the affected individuals were under 40 years old, with Ibadan South West and Ido LGAs accounting for the majority of confirmed cases.
Since the cholera outbreak, Oyo State has activated a cholera working group that collaborates with the Ministry of Environment and RUWASA. Efforts to curb the spread of the disease include active case searches, contact tracing, public enlightenment, and the deployment of infection prevention and control materials to holding facilities. Intravenous fluids and other essential medical supplies have also been made available for the treatment of cholera patients.
Oyo State Epidemiologist, Dr. Abibat Kareem, reported that 76 suspected cholera patients had been treated at the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo. Fortunately, 62 of these patients have been discharged, and no deaths have been recorded at the centre.
During the meeting, the Director of Primary Health at the Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Babatunde, emphasized that the outbreak is largely due to a breach in personal and environmental hygiene practices in the affected LGAs. He stressed that, while health and environment ministries have taken steps to manage the cholera cases, public education on cholera prevention remains crucial to interrupting the chain of transmission.
Dr. Babatunde also highlighted the success in Akinyele LGA, where the cholera outbreak has been contained. Government interventions included the provision of potable water, chlorination of open wells, environmental fumigation, and distribution of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) to affected households. These efforts have created a safer and more conducive environment for residents, reducing the risk of further cholera spread.
Cholera is an extremely infectious disease that can kill rapidly due to severe dehydration caused by continuous vomiting and diarrhea. To prevent cholera, Dr. Babatunde advised residents to practice good hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap and clean water. He also urged individuals to avoid consuming food prepared in unhygienic conditions outside the home and to be cautious about drinking water from unknown sources.
The 2024 cholera outbreak in Oyo State serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation practices. While the government has taken steps to manage and contain the spread of the disease, public cooperation is essential. Through increased awareness and improved hygiene, the state can prevent future outbreaks and protect the health and well being of its residents.