The Oyo State Government has confirmed that a total number of 245 suspected cases of the cholera disease was reported between January 1 and October 7 with 23 cases confirmed while one death was recorded during the period.
The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwasherimi Ajetumobi, disclosed this while briefing the press at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, at the end of the weekly Executive Council Meeting.
Ajetumobi explained that the only death recorded was a patient brought from Lagos, while nine other patients currently on admission at the infectious diseases centre in Ibadan were responding to treatment and would soon be discharged.
“A total number of 245 suspected cases of the dreaded cholera disease was reported between January 1 and October 7, 2024, with 23 cases confirmed while only one death was recorded during the period.
“The only death recorded was a patient brought from Lagos. Nine patients, currently on admission at the Infectious Disease Center, Olodo, Ibadan are responding to treatment and will soon be discharged,” she said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
It noted that cholera remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.
“Cholera is an extremely virulent disease transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.
“Most people infected with cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for 1–10 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.
“Among people who develop symptoms, the majority have mild or moderate symptoms. It takes between 12 hours and 5 days for a person to show symptoms. A minority of patients develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated,” WHO said.
