Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has disclosed that 11 persons have died from the recent outbreak of gastroenteritis in the state.
Abayomi, made the disclosure on Friday even as he cautioned residents against a fake audio message on the outbreak of the disease in the state.
The message, recorded in a female voice is purported to have emanated from Ebute-Metta Health facility.
“It has come to my attention that there is a voice recording that is being circulated and carrying fake news.
“It is disguised as from Ebute-Metta Health facility. It is a lady’s voice, and we are not sure where this message emanated from, but it is very misleading,” the commissioner said.
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He however acknowledged the outbreak of gastroenteritis in the state and the fact that some casualties have been recorded.
“Yes, there is an outbreak of gastroenteritis that is now under control as a result of the many policies and interventions put in place.
“We are on top of the situation.
“This circulating voice note is not correct, do not follow the recommendations that the voice note is trying to transmit to you.
“As part of our response, we have activated an emergency operation centre (EOC) which is a command and control centre so that we can fine tune logistics and resources around our response against the outbreak.
“As at today, 400 cases of gastroenteritis have been recorded in health facilities in the affected local government areas, 370 of these cases have been treated and discharged.
“Unfortunately, we have also recorded 11 deaths due to the outbreak.
“The increase in number of cases of gastroenteritis is not unconnected with persistent rain with flooding of some local government areas in the state,” Abayomi said.
The Commissioner noted that Lagos was prone to seasonal infectious diseases like gastroenteritis due to its demography and low line megacity nature.
Notwithstanding though, he said that government would not relent in its response to any waterborne or airborne outbreaks that may happen in the state to ensure that citizens remain safe and healthy.
He listed some measures taken to ensure adequate health care for citizen to include: upgrade of infrastructure in health facilities especially the Primary Health Centres; recruitment of more health workers increasing the supply of drugs and consumables to health facilities; continuous clearing of drains and improving the supply of clean and portable water to residents.
He therefore advised residents to be calm and listen only to original messages from the Ministry of Health, saying that it was the only accurate, precise and concise information about the situation.
