From Oshodi to Ikeja, Lagos residents are facing what many describe as a mysterious illness that refuses to go away. Families are overwhelmed by a wave of fever, cough, and cold that has forced many to hospitals, while others resort to self-medication and home remedies.
A Father’s Ordeal
Kabir Adeoye, 42, thought malaria was the cause of his fever, chills, and sweating, but after several treatments, nothing changed. “Despite completing my medications, I still felt the same,” he said.
To his shock, his two children also developed similar symptoms. “I was terrified when both of them started coughing and running a fever. It was like the illness had moved from me to them overnight,” he said.
Although the doctor diagnosed malaria, Adeoye questioned how his family could all have the same illness despite their preventive efforts. “I keep the house clean and fumigate regularly. So how could we have malaria?” he wondered.
Persistent Coughs and Cold
For Amusan, a banker, what started as a sore throat in September developed into a cough that would not go away. “I thought it was a simple cold, but after several treatments, the cough and catarrh refused to stop,” she said.
Her co-workers noticed her condition, fearing infection. “I had to take time off work because people were uncomfortable sitting near me,” she recalled.
Despite medications, her recovery was slow, and she began to fear it might be COVID-19. “With reports of new variants abroad, I started getting scared,” she admitted.
Crowded Clinics and Anxious Residents
In various parts of Lagos, hospital waiting rooms are now filled with people showing similar symptoms. A nurse in Oshodi said, “It feels like 2020 again. Everyone is coughing and has fever.”
A LASUTH doctor, also sick, noted, “I’ve lost my sense of taste and smell. I plan to test for COVID-19 because these symptoms feel familiar.”
Experts Sound Alarm
Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo from LASUTH said there has been a notable increase in cases of upper respiratory infections. “The symptoms resemble COVID-19, but they may also be from other viral sources,” he said, urging early testing.
He advised Nigerians not to panic but to avoid self-medication. “Proper diagnosis is key to preventing complications,” he explained.
Drugstores Overwhelmed
Pharmacist Chinedu Osita said sales of flu drugs have tripled in recent weeks. “We are selling cold and cough medicines faster than ever,” he revealed.
Another pharmacist, Aliu Abdulhafiz, added that his store now records at least 15 people daily buying medications for cough and catarrh. “We’ve had to restock multiple times,” he said.
Government and Global Response
Virologist Professor Oyewale Tomori criticised the lack of preparedness. “Our health surveillance systems are weak, and testing labs are shutting down,” he warned.
Meanwhile, NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris reassured citizens that the agency is tracking global data and strengthening health surveillance at all ports of entry.
He said, “Travellers should complete their health declaration forms, and the public should maintain hygiene and mask use when necessary.”
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