By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has recorded 2, 102 suspected cholera cases and 63 deaths since it’s outbreak.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at a press conference in Abuja.
Idris recalled that, as at June 30, Nigeria recorded 2,102 suspected cholera cases and 63 deaths across 33 states and 122 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with a case fatality rate of 3.0%.
He informed that the top 10 affected states were Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Delta.
The NCDC Boss revealed that the National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), activated for cholera outbreak was multi-systemic, comprising of subject matter experts who coordinate the response, ensuring effective resource mobilisation, surveillance, case management, and community engagement.
He explained that there were key prevention and response activities initiated by the agency towards ensuring that the epidemic is contained.
“Such activities include assessments in 22 hotspot states, distribution of medical supplies, technical support, training programmes and public health advisories,” he said.
Speaking further, Idris stated that in spite of strong political support and efforts, challenges like open defecation, inadequate toilet facilities, poor water and sanitation, waste management issues, and weak regulatory practices persisted.
He further said efforts were on the way to continue to combat the outbreak, with emphasis on improving hygiene practices, enforcing public health laws, and enhancing healthcare workers’ capacity at state and local levels.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated that cholera outbreak in the country was a wake up call, and reminder that if the country failed to prioritise environmental sanitation, public health would be jeopardised and economy would be affected.
“Nigeria is experiencing the adverse impact of climate change as evidenced by the shift in seasons, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events like floods, droughts and heat waves with undeniable health consequences”, Salako said.
