The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, has directed all health facilities and communities in the South– West geo political zone to send samples of suspected cases of cholera and gastroenteritis (food poisoning) to its laboratories for analysis.
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This is coming on the heels of a red alert by the Federal Government on Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States, which share borders with Ogun State, where outbreak of the disorders has been officially confirmed, even as the Federal Government confirmed a total of 144 cases with five deaths with a case fatality rate of 3.55 per cent, according to a statement issued yesterday in Lagos.
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The statement by the Institute's Head, Emergency Preparedness and Response Research, EPR-RG, Dr. Stella Smith, noted that facilities had been repositioned to receive all samples sent to the Institute.
Cholera as a disease is not something any country should joke with @ anytime. It is very deadly and cruel!