The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that 14,237 cases of cholera and 378 deaths have been reported across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Director-general of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing on ongoing response to infectious disease outbreaks and other events of public health importance in Nigeria and globally, in Abuja.
He said, “As of October 13, 2024, a total of 14,237 cases of cholera have been reported across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), spanning 339 local government areas. Sadly, 378 lives have been lost, resulting in a case fatality ratio (CFR) of about 2.7 percent.”
The DG noted that the burden of the outbreak disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, children under the age of five.
He also said that this year has seen two significant waves of cholera, with the most recent surge, reported during the week of September 29 (Epi Week 39), attributed to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding.
“This is a pattern we anticipated, having foreseen the risks through data and advisories provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET). The floods in the northern states such as Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Yobe, and Kano have exacerbated the spread of cholera, making these states the current epicenters of the outbreak.
“Earlier in the year, the cholera cases were concentrated in southern states as the rains began there, but we have seen a shift, with northern states now accounting for a significant portion of cases,” he explained.
Dr. Jide noted that the number of suspected cholera cases and deaths in 2024 has more than doubled, when compared to this time last year, adding that the numbers reflect the severity of the outbreak and reinforce the need for continuous vigilance and action.
“It also underscores the developmental issues that should be addressed both at the national and sub-national levels with improved commitment towards addressing challenges relating to inadequate access to clean water, open defecation, poor environmental sanitation, food and personal hygiene,” he stressed.
However, the DG said that the NCDC has deployed rapid response teams, including experts from health line ministries, to the affected northern states.
The NCDC urged all Nigerians to practice good personal, food, and environmental hygiene, with emphasis on regular hand washing with soap and water, and seek medical care immediately if cholera symptoms such as severe diarrhea and vomiting occur.
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