The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a staggering 220% rise in suspected cholera cases in Nigeria as of 2024, marking a significant public health concern. This alarming increase is detailed in the latest epidemiological report from the agency.
Cholera, an acute intestinal infection primarily spread through contaminated food and water, poses a severe threat to communities lacking adequate sanitation. Contributing factors to the outbreak include ongoing conflict, climate change, and poverty, as well as limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
According to the NCDC, by the end of epidemiological week 39, Nigeria recorded 10,837 suspected cholera cases, resulting in 359 fatalities. This reflects a tragic 239% increase in deaths compared to 2023, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 3.3%, slightly higher than the previous year’s rate of 3.1%.
In the past week alone, 198 new suspected cases were reported across five states, leading to 15 new deaths and a concerning weekly CFR of 7.6%. The states most impacted by the outbreak include Adamawa, Ebonyi, Borno, Kano, and Jigawa. Adamawa, in particular, has emerged as a hotspot, recording 535 suspected cases in the last month.
Lagos State has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for 43% of the national total of suspected cases. Notably, Lagos Island Local Government Area represents five percent of all suspected cases in the country. Monitoring efforts revealed that out of 254 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) conducted, 175 returned positive results, alongside 103 positive stool cultures from 149 tests undertaken.
Other states such as Jigawa, Kano, and Borno have also reported significant numbers of suspected cases, underscoring the widespread nature of the cholera outbreak. Children under five years are the most vulnerable, with males comprising 52% of suspected cases against 48% females.
The NCDC emphasizes the urgent need for consistent vigilance and a strengthened response to this public health crisis. The agency has activated a national multi-sectoral Cholera Technical Working Group to monitor and address outbreaks throughout the country.
Improving sanitation, enhancing access to clean water, and providing public health education are critical to stemming the disease’s spread. The NCDC strongly encourages the public to report suspected cholera cases and practice preventive measures, including proper handwashing and safe food handling.
Communities impacted by the outbreak are grappling with issues such as widespread open defecation and inadequate access to potable water, exacerbating the cholera situation. In many rural areas and urban slums, reliance on water vendors due to shortages further complicates efforts to control the outbreak.
The NCDC also outlines challenges in combating the cholera crisis, including a lack of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials at the community level, inadequate logistics for active case searches, and a shortage of skilled personnel essential for effective case management.
With cholera cases rising sharply, public health experts are calling for urgent intervention strategies and proactive community engagement to address this life-threatening disease. The situation is critical as cholera outbreaks continue to escalate in regions worldwide, highlighting an urgent need for improved health system preparedness.
As the cholera crisis unfolds, the NCDC is committed to providing updates and information to the public, emphasizing the importance of community action in preventing the spread of this disease.
