The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has documented 1,598 suspected cases of cholera across 107 local government areas.
The cholera outbreak is marked by a case fatality rate of 3.5%, which is notably higher than the national average expectation of one percent, indicating the severity of the situation.
Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of NCDC, disclosed these figures on Monday in Abuja while updating the public on the cholera epidemiological situation in Nigeria. He also detailed the ongoing efforts at both national and sub-national levels to prevent and respond to the outbreak.
Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is a severe diarrheal illness that poses a significant health challenge, particularly in regions where sanitation and access to clean water are inadequate.
Understanding how cholera spreads is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies to contain its transmission.
Idris stated, “The government is deeply concerned about the rapid spread and the higher-than-expected mortality rate, indicating a more deadly outbreak.” He emphasized that the fatalities represent substantial personal losses, affecting families, spouses, parents, and healthcare workers.
He also pointed out the potential exacerbation of the situation as the rainy season intensifies.
Regarding the distribution of deaths, Lagos State recorded the highest number with 29 fatalities, followed by Rivers with eight, Abia and Delta with four each, and Katsina with three. Bayelsa reported two deaths, while Kano, Nasarawa, and Cross River each recorded one death.
Idris underscored, “This worrisome pattern underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response to prevent further escalation of the crisis.” He highlighted that sixteen states accounted for 90% of the confirmed cases, with Lagos serving as the epicenter. Lagos State has received significant attention and resources to effectively manage the outbreak given its high caseload.
