Cholera Outbreak Disrupts School Resumption in Lagos

The planned resumption of schools across Lagos State for the new academic session has been disrupted by a recent cholera outbreak. The Lagos State Government has announced that schools will remain closed until further notice to prevent the spread of the disease among students.

The cholera outbreak, which began in early June, has already infected over 500 people across several local government areas in the state. At least 16 deaths have been recorded so far. The most affected areas include Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo, Surulere, and Apapa.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It can lead to severe dehydration and death if left untreated. The disease spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water.

School Reopening Postponed

All public and private nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Lagos were scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 18th for the new academic session. However, due to the rising cholera cases, the Lagos State Government has postponed the reopening indefinitely.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, stated that the decision was made to prevent a potential outbreak in schools which could exacerbate the already precarious situation. “The safety of our children remains the utmost priority. We cannot risk exposing them to such a deadly disease within the school environment,” she said.

The commissioner urged school authorities, parents, and students to maintain a high level of personal and environmental hygiene. She also called on residents to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of cholera to the appropriate health authorities immediately.

Cholera Preventive Measures The Lagos State Ministry of Health has intensified efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread. Emergency operations centers have been activated across all affected local government areas.

Health workers have been deployed to affected communities to raise awareness, conduct case searches, and ensure prompt and adequate treatment for infected persons. They are also distributing water treatment tablets and conducting decontamination of areas affected by the disease.

Residents have been advised to boil water for drinking and food preparation, practice proper hand washing techniques, cook food thoroughly, and maintain high standards of personal and environmental hygiene.

The cholera outbreak has once again highlighted the need for improved access to clean water, better sanitation facilities, and effective disease surveillance systems in Lagos State. Until the situation is brought under control, schools will remain closed, dealing a major blow to the education sector already impacted by frequent disruptions in recent