About 12 persons have been feared dead from the outbreak of cholera in Okota area of Lagos State and several others hospitalised in different parts of the state, following the outbreak of the disease. This also followed a report that in the last one week, about 50 persons have died in Zamfara State, after contracting the scourge.

THISDAY checks at hospitals in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state and its environs such as Okota, Bucknor, Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa Canal, Ejigbo, Ikotun, within the last three days witnessed patients, who were on admission suffering from the scourge.

A medical doctor at one of the hospitals at Ago Palace Way, Okota, said they had to report the incident to the local government which promised to take samples to the laboratory to determine if it was a case of cholera as suspected or gastroenteritis.

A visit to Sijuade Street, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota, revealed that about two persons died over the weekend, after continuous stooling and vomiting, including one Sunday Emeka, a generator repairer, who died on Sunday, after stooling and vomiting consistently.

Another deceased, who was simply identified as Charles, was said to have been resting in his residence beside the Oke-Afa Canal, and without warning, started stooling and vomiting.

At one of the hospitals THISDAY visited, two sisters were admitted on the same day after they had stooled and vomited consistently and although they were responding to treatment, they had adult-sized pampers on them to cushion the effect of the stooling. At Femi Killa, it was gathered that about three persons died after eating the local African Salad, which they bought from a food vendor in the area and the seller was arrested by the police.

However, when THISDAY contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in-charge of Ago, Orobiyi Musendiq, a Superintendent of Police (SP), he debunked claims that he made any arrest of that nature.

In a related development, the Medical Director of Ago Medical Centre, Dr. Kola Afolabi, said there was an outbreak of gastroenteritis, which he described, as one of the symptoms of cholera. Afolabi said: "For the past one week, patients with frequent diarrhoea and vomiting have been brought to my hospital, but I cannot say it is cholera because a diagnosis must be conducted to confirm cholera."

Although the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, admitted that they had recorded cholera cases, he said it would be incorrect to call it an outbreak, adding that they were on top of the situation.

He said: "That 12 people have died is totally incorrect. I am only aware of one case. Compared to other parts of the country, it is not proper to call what is happening in Lagos an outbreak. "We have sent our officials to the various local governments where it has been reported and the victims are being adequately treated. The public should maintain good personal hygiene and ensure that their food and water are properly preserved." http://allafrica.com/stories/201310240693.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns