The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a public advisory concerning a surge in cholera cases nationwide, reporting 30 deaths, 1,141 suspected cases, and 65 confirmed cases as of June 11, 2024.
According to Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of NCDC, these cases have been recorded across 96 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 states, spanning the period from January to June 2024. Ten states including Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos account for 90% of the reported cholera burden.
Dr. Idris urged Nigerians to remain vigilant as the rainy season intensifies, warning, “An outbreak has recently been reported in Lagos State.” He highlighted the collaborative efforts of the National Cholera Technical Working Group, comprising federal ministries, international agencies like WHO and UNICEF, and other partners, in supporting affected states with various interventions including risk communication, case management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
Cholera, a water and food-borne disease caused by Vibrio Cholerae, thrives in contaminated water and food. Dr. Idris emphasized that contamination occurs primarily through infected individuals’ feces, contaminating drinking water at its source, during transport, or during storage. Street-sold beverages, ice, and untreated water used for cooking or washing vegetables are also potential carriers.
The NCDC director listed populations at risk as those living in areas with limited access to clean water and stressed preventive measures such as boiling water before consumption, ensuring proper sanitation and waste disposal, practicing thorough hand hygiene, and consuming thoroughly cooked food.
He concluded by advising Nigerians to avoid open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping, and to ensure sewage systems are properly maintained and cleared regularly to mitigate the risk of cholera outbreaks.
