Latest data released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) shows that the country has recorded 113 cases of cholera and seven deaths in one week.
This is contained in the cholera situation report for week 25 (spanning between 17 – 25 June), published on the NCDC’s website on Monday.
According to the report, of the 113 cases recorded, Lagos accounted for 104, Ogun recorded seven and Katsina recorded one.
Cases so far
The report indicated that, as of 23 June, a total of 1,579 suspected cases were recorded with 54 deaths (CFR 3.4 per cent) reported from 32 states.
It shows that Lagos, with 537 cases, accounts for 34 per cent of all suspected cases in the country.
It also noted that Southern Ijaw LGA (151 cases) in Bayelsa State accounts for 10 per cent of all suspected cholera cases reported in the country.
Other States; Bayelsa (466 cases), Abia (109), Zamfara (64 cases), Bauchi (46 cases),
Katsina (45 cases), Cross River (43 cases), Ebonyi (38 cases), Rivers (37 cases), Delta (34
cases), Imo (28), Ogun (21), Nasarawa (19 cases), Ondo (17 cases), Kano (13 cases), Niger
(11 cases) and Osun (11 cases) account for 97.5 per cent of the suspected cases this year.
The NCDC noted that comparatively, suspected cases of Cholera in the current year have decreased by 37 per cent compared to what was reported as at Epi-week 25 in 2023.
Likewise, cumulative deaths recorded have decreased by 21 per cent in 2024.
The report also noted that of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age five are mostly affected, adding that the aggregates for both males and females are the same (50 per cent).
Cholera outbreak
Cholera is a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated food and water.
It spreads directly by consuming contaminated food or water and indirectly through poor sanitation and inadequate handwashing.
Symptoms of cholera include sudden onset of acute, painless watery diarrhea, which may be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and fever.
The NCDC said severe cases of cholera can result in death within hours due to dehydration.
However, about 80 per cent of infected individuals may exhibit mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic.
In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation.