Unregistered Tiger Nut Drink Linked to Cholera Outbreak in Lagos
The Lagos State Government has linked a recent cholera outbreak to an unregistered tiger nut drink.
The outbreak has affected several areas, including Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Kosofe, with hospitals seeing the most cases.
By June 21, there had been 24 deaths and 35 confirmed cholera cases, with Eti-Osa being the center of the outbreak in Lagos.
Kemi Ogunyemi, the governor’s health adviser, explained in an interview that the government noticed an increase in suspected cholera cases in Eti-Osa and investigated the area directly.
Ogunyemi stated that a survey found that many affected people had consumed a tiger nut drink that wasn’t registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Authorities then searched for this tiger nut drink to test it for cholera.
“We found empty bottles with a name on them, but they weren’t registered with NAFDAC, which ensures the safety of food and drinks,” Ogunyemi said. “There was a phone number on the bottle, but it was unreachable. We couldn’t find any full bottles to test, only empty ones.”
Since cholera can also be spread by water, water samples were taken for testing. They confirmed that the cholera was caused by Vibrio cholera subtype 01, a highly infectious and aggressive type.
The highest number of hospital cases were recorded in Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Kosofe. These were individuals who went to the hospital for treatment, which alerted the authorities to the outbreak.
Ogunyemi advised residents to maintain good hygiene and ensure that all consumable items are registered with the proper government agencies.
