Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris has said the country recorded 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths across 34 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 187 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Idris disclosed this on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at a press briefing in Abuja.
He highlighted the critical situation Nigeria faced amidst the rainy season, which has exacerbated the spread of various epidemic-prone diseases.
“Since June 2024, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the NCDC, has been actively responding to the cholera outbreak, which has significantly impacted the health and well-being of our country.
“As of July 15, 2024, Nigeria recorded 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths across 34 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 187 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8% since the beginning of the year”, he said.
Dr. Idris noted that despite a decline in the number of cases, the peak of the outbreak was still underway as the peak of the outbreak typically coincides with the height of the rainy season.
The DG however stated that underreporting from various states due to inadequate resources and political undertones complicates the situation, making real-time data collection a challenge.
He disclosed that the NCDC had implemented a national incident action plan, intensifying efforts at supporting states in active case search, optimising laboratory capacity, and prepositioning cholera management supplies.
Similarly, National Rapid Response Teams had been deployed to the top six states contributing 83% of cases, including Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina, and Zamfara.
The NCDC also issued a general advisory for the rainy season, emphasizing the impact of heavy rainfall on the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever.
