The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that the country recorded a total of 14,237 cases of cholera and 378 deaths across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed this on Thursday, October 17, 2025 at a press conference in Abuja.
While giving an update of ongoing response to infectious disease outbreaks and other events of public importance in Nigeria and globally, Dr. Idris informed that the number of cholera cases recorded in the country this year was twice that of last year.
He however explained that the burden of this outbreak disproportionately affects the most vulnerable; children under the age of five:
“As of October 13, 2024, a total of 14,237 cases of cholera have been reported across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), spanning 339 local government areas.
“Sadly, 378 lives have been lost, resulting in a case fatality ratio (CFR) of about 2.7%. The burden of this outbreak disproportionately affects the most vulnerable – children under the age of five”, Dr. Idris said.
According to the DG, “this year has seen two significant waves of cholera, with the most recent surge, reported during the week of September 29 (Epi Week 39), attributed to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding. This is a pattern we anticipated, having foreseen the risks through data and advisories provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET)”.
He explained that the floods in the northern states such as Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Yobe, and Kano exacerbated the spread of cholera, making those states the current epicenters of the outbreak.
He further disclosed that, “earlier in the year, the cholera cases were concentrated in southern states as the rains began there, but we have seen a shift, with northern states now accounting for a significant portion of cases.
“The number of suspected cholera cases and deaths in 2024 has more than doubled, when compared to this time last year. These numbers reflect the severity of the outbreak and reinforce the need for continuous vigilance and action.
“It also underscores the developmental issues that should be addressed both at the national and subnational levels with improved commitment towards addressing challenges relating to inadequate access to clean water, open defecation, poor environmental sanitation, food and personal hygiene”.
He noted that in response to the development, the NCDC deployed rapid response teams, including experts from one health line ministries, to the affected northern states.
These teams, he said had been instrumental in coordinating with and supporting the local response by guiding interventions, and providing critical supplies, including medicines, water purification tablets, infection prevention and control (IPC) materials, and diagnostic tools.
Additionally, High-level advocacy visits, including to Borno State, were conducted to engage with state’s health leadership, encourage response teams, and offer the agency’s support to communities displaced by floods.
“Our efforts have been bolstered by collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). Together, we have successfully supported our sister agency, the NPCHDA, to carry out reactive cholera vaccinations in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, a move that has proven crucial in reduction in cases being reported”, Dr. Idris stated.
The NCDC Boss therefore urged all Nigerians to practice good personal, food, and environmental hygiene, with emphasis on regular hand washing with soap & water under running water; and seek medical care immediately if cholera symptoms such as severe diarrhea and vomiting occur.
He maintained that the agency would continue to enhance surveillance, improve prompt treatment of affected persons, and strengthen Water Sanitation and Hygiene practices in affected communities.
“Cholera is a preventable disease, and with collective effort, we can control and eventually eliminate this threat”, he said.
