He attributed the epidemic to poor environmental sanitation, lack of potable water in the area and missed immunisation in the area. According to him, the result of the water samples analysed at the Drug Quality Control Laboratory yielded several pathogens, an indication that the well water is not safe for human consumption. To this end, the ministry will tomorrow despatch another combined team of experts from the ministries of Environment, Health and other relevant agencies to conduct proper assessment of the environment. The commissioner also disclosed that the ministry had directed all local government areas to take inventory of all slums in their areas to ensure prompt response and prevent epidemic outbreak. 

 

He said: “We are taking census of slums in Lagos because the number of deaths was unusual. It must have been complicated by malnutrition. “The area was not designed for residential purposes, but was a reclaimed land. That may have been the major reason why the children were missed during immunisation. “Right now, awareness and community sensitisation is ongoing. Active case search is also ongoing. 

“Members of the public and health workers are to report any strange illness to the nearest health facility or call 08037170614, 08055281442 and 08023169485.”