- Says 220 Per Cent Increase In Suspected Cases Across Nigeria
THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), yesterday, raised alarm over the increase of cholera outbreak in Nigeria, saying that the Agency has seen a sharp increase in 2024, with suspected cases rising by an alarming 220 per cent.
The NCDC, on its official website, said that this was according to the latest epidemiological report.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Cholera is an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water. Communities with limited access to sanitation are most affected.
The Nigerian Public Health Agency said that by the end of epidemiological week 39, the country had recorded 10,837 suspected cases and 359 deaths.
It said that the figure represented 239 per cent increase in fatalities compared to 2023.
It said that the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for the year stood at 3.3 per cent, slightly higher than the 3.1 per cent recorded in the previous year.
“In the past week alone, 198 new suspected cases were reported across five states, leading to 15 deaths and a weekly CFR of 7.6 per cent.
“The states most affected by the outbreak during week 39 include Adamawa (131 cases), Ebonyi (30 cases), Borno (29 cases), Kano (7 cases), and Jigawa (1 case).
“Adamawa continues to be a hotspot, with 535 suspected cases reported in the past month,” it said. The agency said that since the beginning of 2024, Lagos state had reported the highest number of suspected cholera cases, contributing 43 per cent of the national total.
It said that Lagos Island Local Government Area (LGA) accounted for five per cent of the country’s overall cases.
“Lagos Island LGA is particularly hard-hit, contributing five per cent of all suspected cases nationwide.
“Stool cultures have been employed to monitor the situation, with 254 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) conducted, yielding 175 positive results, and 149 stool cultures, of which 103 tested positive,” it said.
It said that other states, including Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Katsina, had also reported significant case numbers, highlighting the widespread nature of the outbreak.
“Jigawa recorded 870 cases, Kano recorded cases, and Borno recorded588 cases,” it said.
The NCDC disclosed that children under five years old were most affected, followed by those aged between five and 14.
It said that the male population represented 52 per cent of the total suspected cases, with females making up 48 per cent.
The NCDC report underscores the need for continued vigilance and response efforts, as the outbreak shows no signs of slowing.
The Agency has activated a national multi-sectoral Cholera Technical Working Group to monitor and respond to outbreaks across states. It stressed the importance of improving sanitation, access to clean water, and public health education to curb the spread of the disease.
“Efforts are ongoing to strengthen health systems and enhance surveillance in high-risk areas,” it said.
The agency urged the public to report suspected cholera cases and adhere to preventive measures, including proper handwashing and safe food handling, to reduce transmission. (NAN)
