103 dead from Cholera outbreak across Nigeria, says NCDC

As Nigeria steps up its efforts to combat the cholera outbreak, the disease has claimed 103 lives out of 3,623 reported cases across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) revealed this new toll during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The cholera outbreak has affected 187 local government areas, with a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8% since the beginning of the year.

The update was part of an effort to provide information on the current cholera situation in Nigeria, including national and state-level prevention and response measures, and to address other epidemic-prone diseases that tend to increase during the rainy season.

Dr. Jide Idris, Director General of NCDC, shared that the majority of those affected by cholera are children around five years old, with males representing 52% of the cases and females 48%.

“As of July 15, 2024, there have been 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths across 34 states and the FCT, impacting 187 Local Government Areas, with a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8% for the year. The data indicates a slight decline in cases and case fatality rates from the previous week, from 2.9% to 2.8%,” Dr. Idris stated.

He noted that while ongoing national and state-level efforts have led to some positive trends, it is crucial to remain vigilant as the peak of the outbreak often coincides with the peak of the rainy season, which is still several weeks away. He also pointed out that a delay in the rainy season in some northern states may be contributing to fewer reported cases.

Dr. Idris further explained that underreporting of cholera cases is a concern due to insufficient resources for surveillance and potential political stigma associated with reporting cholera. He also highlighted a rise in other epidemic-prone diseases, including yellow fever, Lassa fever, and meningitis.

Since June 2024, the Federal Government, through the NCDC, has been actively addressing the cholera outbreak by implementing a national incident action plan. This plan focuses on strengthening case management, enhancing laboratory capabilities, and pre-positioning cholera management supplies in preparation for potential surges.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts with stakeholders to maintain the decline in fatality rates and achieve the global target case fatality ratio of less than 1%,” Dr. Idris said.

The NCDC is also working with national rapid response teams in the six states—Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina, and Zamfara—that account for approximately 83% of the cases. Efforts are ongoing to strengthen surveillance, improve case management, and boost community engagement.

Dr. Idris commended the efforts of all those involved in combating the outbreak and urged the public to follow preventive measures, including boiling and properly storing water, practicing good hand hygiene, and ensuring food safety.

In addition to addressing the cholera outbreak, the NCDC continues to advocate for improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene across communities. The ministries of Water Resources and Environment are called upon to ensure that WASH facilities are adequate and functional in all local government areas.

“With the rainy season underway and flooding reported in some areas, we also observe increased incidences of other epidemic-prone diseases. We remain committed to our response efforts and will escalate support as needed,” Dr. Idris concluded.