The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has raised alarms over the alarming rise in cholera cases across the country, as suspected cases have surged by a staggering 220% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The latest epidemiological report published by the NCDC highlights the critical nature of the outbreak, which has led to a significant spike in fatalities.
As of epidemiological week 39, Nigeria had recorded a total of 10,837 suspected cholera cases, resulting in 359 deaths. This marks a 239% increase in deaths compared to 2023, with the current case fatality rate (CFR) sitting at 3.3%, slightly higher than the 3.1% recorded in the previous year. Cholera continues to wreak havoc across several regions in Nigeria, with the most vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of the epidemic.
In the past week alone, the NCDC reported 198 new suspected cases across five states, leading to an additional 15 deaths. This spike in cases has pushed the weekly CFR to a troubling 7.6%. The rapid rise in cases has raised concerns about the nation’s ability to contain the outbreak without immediate and concerted intervention.
Adamawa State remains the epicenter of the crisis, with 535 suspected cases reported over the past month. In week 39 alone, Adamawa recorded 131 new cases, with other states such as Ebonyi (30 cases), Borno (29), Kano (7), and Jigawa (1) also reporting new incidents. The situation is equally dire in Lagos State, which accounts for 43% of all suspected cases nationwide. Lagos Island Local Government Area (LGA) alone contributed 5% of the total cases in the country.
The NCDC has identified children under the age of five as the most vulnerable to the outbreak, followed closely by those aged between five and 14. Men account for 52% of suspected cases, while women represent 48%. The outbreak has been attributed to the widespread contamination of food and water, particularly in areas with poor sanitation infrastructure.
Factors Driving the Cholera Surge
The spread of cholera is largely driven by poor sanitation and hygiene practices. The NCDC noted that inadequate access to clean water, open defecation, and limited Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities are contributing significantly to the outbreak. Conflict, climate change, poverty, and population displacement have further exacerbated the situation, making it increasingly difficult to contain the disease’s spread.
Open defecation, particularly in rural areas, remains one of the biggest barriers to curbing the outbreak. According to the NCDC, there is also an urgent need to improve WASH infrastructure, including the management of wastewater. In many affected areas, access to basic hygiene facilities is limited, allowing the bacteria that cause cholera to thrive and spread unchecked.
Additionally, the NCDC emphasized the need for better logistics and skilled personnel to carry out active case searches in high-risk areas. The agency has activated a national Cholera Technical Working Group to coordinate response efforts and track the spread of the disease across the country. Despite these efforts, the rising number of cases is straining the country’s already overburdened healthcare system.
To address the worsening situation, the NCDC has called for immediate interventions aimed at improving access to clean water, boosting sanitation efforts, and enhancing public health education to control the outbreak. The agency highlighted the importance of teaching communities about the dangers of contaminated water sources and promoting proper hygiene practices to reduce the risk of cholera infection.
The NCDC is also strengthening its health systems and working to enhance surveillance in high-risk areas. It has urged state governments to improve emergency response mechanisms to ensure rapid treatment and care for infected individuals. However, experts are warning that without swift action, the outbreak could worsen as the rainy season, a period that exacerbates the spread of waterborne diseases, continues.
The cholera outbreak in Nigeria is part of a larger global trend that has seen a rise in cholera and other diarrheal diseases across multiple regions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cholera outbreaks have increased in the Middle East, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Conflict, climate change, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure are key factors fueling the rise in cases worldwide.
The WHO reports that global deaths from diarrheal diseases, including cholera, increased by 71% last year. The situation is particularly dire in countries with ongoing conflicts or those that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As these factors continue to worsen, the international community is facing an uphill battle to prevent the spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
Public health experts are urging the Nigerian government and international partners to intensify intervention strategies to curb the outbreak. They warn that the cholera crisis in Nigeria is poised to escalate unless immediate, coordinated action is taken.
Experts emphasize the need for long-term solutions that address the root causes of the outbreak, including improved sanitation infrastructure and greater access to clean drinking water.
The NCDC has echoed these concerns, urging citizens to take personal precautions by ensuring their drinking water is properly treated and practicing good hygiene. Public health campaigns focused on educating communities about the dangers of cholera are expected to play a crucial role in curbing the disease’s spread.
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