The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a staggering 220% rise in suspected cholera cases in Nigeria for 2024. This alarming increase was detailed in the latest epidemiological report published on the NCDC’s official website.
Cholera, a severe intestinal infection primarily spread through contaminated food and water, predominantly affects communities with inadequate sanitation facilities. Contributing factors to the surge in cholera outbreaks include conflict, climate change, lack of access to safe water, poverty, underdevelopment, and population displacement from ongoing conflicts and natural disasters.
As of the end of epidemiological week 39, the NCDC recorded 10,837 suspected cases and 359 deaths, marking a 239% rise in fatalities compared to the previous year. The report noted a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 3.3%, slightly up from 3.1% in 2023.
“In the past week alone, 198 new suspected cases were reported across five states, leading to 15 deaths and a weekly CFR of 7.6%,” the report stated. The most affected states during this period were Adamawa (131 cases), Ebonyi (30 cases), Borno (29 cases), Kano (7 cases), and Jigawa (1 case).
Adamawa remains a hotspot, with a total of 535 suspected cases reported over the last month. Furthermore, Lagos State has reported the highest number of suspected cholera cases in the country, accounting for 43% of the national total. “Lagos Island Local Government Area is particularly hard-hit, contributing five percent of all suspected cases nationwide,” the agency noted.
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To monitor the situation, the NCDC has conducted 254 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), resulting in 175 positive results, along with 149 stool cultures, 103 of which tested positive. Other states such as Jigawa, Kano, and Borno have also seen significant case numbers, with Jigawa recording 870 cases, Kano documenting 588 cases, and Borno reporting 588 cases.
The data reveals that children under five years old are most affected, with males constituting 52% of suspected cases and females making up 48%. The NCDC emphasizes the urgent need for continued vigilance, as the outbreak shows no signs of abating.
In response to the growing crisis, the agency has activated a national multi-sectoral Cholera Technical Working Group to monitor and respond to outbreaks across various states. The NCDC stressed the necessity of improving sanitation, access to clean water, and public health education to mitigate the disease’s spread.
“Efforts are ongoing to strengthen health systems and enhance surveillance in high-risk areas,” it added. The agency urged the public to report suspected cholera cases and adhere to preventive measures such as proper handwashing and safe food handling.
Additionally, the report highlighted that open defecation remains prevalent in affected communities, complicating efforts to control the outbreak. The lack of access to clean drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and the reliance on vendors for water in rural areas and urban slums have further fueled the crisis.
“There is also inadequate WASH infrastructure and supplies, including wastewater management facilities,” the NCDC stated. The shortage of skilled personnel and a lack of information materials at the community level have hampered effective case management.
“No IEC materials at the community level, inadequate consumables and supplies for case management, inadequate logistics for active case searches, thus insufficient active case searches in the communities,” the report highlighted.
With cholera cases already surpassing last year’s figures, there are growing concerns that the outbreak could worsen without immediate intervention. Public health experts are advocating for enhanced strategies and ongoing community engagement to combat this deadly disease.
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