By Omar Bah
From July 15th to 21st, Nigeria reported 170 suspected cases and three deaths from cholera. The affected states are Lagos, Kogi, and Zamfara. The reported case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.8 percent is lower than the previous week’s rate of 2.9 percent.
Since the beginning of the cholera outbreak in 2024, Nigeria has recorded a total of 4,809 suspected cases and 156 deaths in 35 states, which is an increase compared to the 2,740 cases reported in 2023. The CFR for 2024 is 3.2 percent, while it was 3.0 percent in 2023.
Cholera, a waterborne disease caused by ingesting Vibrio cholerae, is a severe health concern, often spread through contaminated water and food. It is essential to be aware of the symptoms, including acute, profuse, painless, and watery diarrhea, as early detection can lead to effective treatment.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has responded to the cholera outbreak with a comprehensive plan, distributing medical supplies for case management, infection prevention, and control to medical centers nationwide. The agency has also provided support, training, and ongoing education for laboratory scientists and community mobilizers and distributed informational materials on cholera prevention. This proactive approach demonstrates the commitment to effectively managing the outbreak.
