Uncovering the root of Lagos’ measles outbreak
The recent outbreak of an epidemic initially described as an identified ‘strange illness’ that killed over 20 children in Otodo Gbame appears to be a true reflection of the state of the community. The disease was later confirmed to be an outbreak of measles virus by the Lagos State commissioner for health, Dr. Jide Idris […]
The recent outbreak of an epidemic initially described as an identified ‘strange illness’ that killed over 20 children in Otodo Gbame appears to be a true reflection of the state of the community. The disease was later confirmed to be an outbreak of measles virus by the Lagos State commissioner for health, Dr. Jide Idris and was linked to poor sanitation in the area. But the problem started a long time ago.
Housing, like food and clothing is one of the basic necessities of life. The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century led to an explosion in human population and the need to provide decent housing became a challenge, particularly in urban centers of the underdeveloped world.
Lagos State being the former national capital and the commercial nerve center of the nation, like every other urban center, has a concentration of wealth and growing manufacturing sectors. It offers vast employment opportunities. The excitement of night life that was hitherto non-existent in most rural areas made the city attractive, thus resulting in uncontrolled rural-urban migration. Today the state is undoubtedly the most notorious example of urban growth in Nigeria with an annual growth rate of 14 per cent.
The first dilemma of an urban migrant in Lagos is that of adequate housing. With little resources, financial or otherwise, the drastic option of illegally occupying a vacant piece of land to build a rudimentary shelter is most times the only available option to many of such migrants which is the genesis of the appearance of squatter settlements and slums seen as a social evil to be eradicated.
Over the years, the population boom in Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of the country, has put undue pressure on government and individuals as the demand for housing continued to rise far and above what the urbanised areas can offer.
It was speculated during the administration of Babatunde Raji Fashola, former governor of Lagos state, that the state advised many residents who were finding it difficult to live in Lagos to go back to their home states with a promise of the sum of N2000 to aid their return.
As more and more people find their way into the state, the urban slums become settlements for those determined to remain and make a living.
In the remote areas of Ikotun, Ejigbo, Majidun-Ikorodu, Ogba, Kio-Kio village, Pako and the popular Ajegunle, there are residential areas with dwellings unfit for human habitation.
Otodo Gbame in Ikate Eti-Osa local government area in Lagos State is one of these slums communities without social amenities and experiencing total neglect from government.
A visit to the area revealed filth of varying magnitude with offensive odour emanating from it. There are kiosks almost at every corner. There is hardly any usable item that cannot be found there. From disused children’s swing, large plastic water containers, rags, irons, refrigerators, TV sets, mattresses, rags, furniture, bottles, cans, planks, car steering, among others.
In Lagos, boreholes and shallow wells are sunk at random by both skilled and unskilled technicians. Many are said to be contaminated by the water coming from drainages and sewage systems. Some inhabitants of this community have their baths in open space because of lack of public or private bathrooms and toilets.
According to the commissioner, water samples taken from the community confirmed traces of bacterial infection. Idris said the blood samples, throat swabs and water samples analysis conducted at the virology reference laboratory and the Lagos State Drug Quality Control Laboratory (DQCL), LASUTH, Ikeja were all indicating that the cause of death is Measles.
“Different tests have confirmed that. There is a marker in the blood that shows active activities of the (measles) virus in that community. The cause of this has to do with environmental sanitation in that place.
“It is a slum area, so sanitation and personal hygiene are totally off course. With a lot of open defecation, the water system was contaminated and in the water samples we detected a lot of bacteria.”
Otodo Gbame has a well where all the people in the community source water for cooking and bathing. The well, which is surrounded by tyres, has no cover and water treatment of any sort. It was gathered that the late Baale (community leader) of the area who died last year dug the well.
State governments are responsible for urban water supply, while rural water supply is that of local governments and the communities. Lagos, which goes by the Sobriquet State of Aquatic Splendor, is hard hit by water challenges. Inadequate supply of water comes with such consequences as water pollution, with the attendant water borne diseases and poor sanitation.
Because Lagos is surrounded by water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Lagosians take advantage of the abundant underground water. More than 50 per cent of the water needs of the state is being serviced through boreholes, shallow wells and water vendors.
Though the commissioner stated that Measles awareness and vaccination has since been issued in affected communities and that no new death has been recorded in the last one week since the state’s intervention, Otodo Gbame as the area was missed in the last measles vaccines exercise in the state.
The commissioner said, “The truth is that very few people know that community exists and it was missed during the vaccination exercise. If you have a community where children have not been vaccinated, measles have a way of dealing with the immunity of such children and leaving them with complications. It can also be complicated by severe malnutrition. It can affect their brains and many parts of the body.
“We heard that Otodo Gbame is a reclaimed area and sand-filled for something else entirely. A lot of people come into Lagos and just take over different places and since they don’t have adequate facilities for the sanitation required, this disease outbreak is what will happen.”
Though the state government’s response to the outbreak has put the situation under control, the people of Otodo Gbame remain afraid. Since the demise of the community leader last year, Otodo Gbame is yet to have a new Baale. However, a man who pleaded anonymity said contrary to the state government’s position, the land belongs to his forefathers.
According to him, government is only shying away from its responsibility of providing basic needs for the people. He said people find it difficult to make the place habitable because of the nature of the land and its closeness to water.
He claimed that Otodo Gbame would not have had a genuine community leader if it is an illegal area, adding that “It is only during elections that they come here to canvas for votes without coming back to let people have a feel of good governance and dividends of democracy.”