The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) yesterday revealed that cholera infected 2,052 people and killed 55 between January and June this year.
In its epidemiological situation report, the Agency also disclosed that out of 24 states that have reported cases of cholera, Cross River has the highest number of infection and deaths, 718 cases and 16 deaths respectively; accounting for 25 per cent of all cases in the country.
The 23 states that have reported at least a case of cholera include: Katsina (288), Ebonyi (227), Zamfara (216), Bayelsa (205), Abia (118), Niger (114), Ondo (37), Jigawa (34), Sokoto (22), Plateau (21), Bauchi (15), Kaduna (9), Borno (7), Oyo (5), Gombe (3), Kano (3), Adamawa (2), Kebbi (2), Benue (2), Imo (1), Ekiti (1), Osun (1), and Anambra (1).
Lafiya360 reports that six other states account for 57 per cent of all the cases reported in the country. The states are: Katsina (288 cases), Ebonyi (227 cases), Zamfara (216 cases), Bayelsa (205 cases), Abia (118 cases) and Niger (114 cases).
Deaths have also been reported in the following states: Katsina (13), Ebonyi (9), Zamfara (5), Bayelsa (1), Abia (6), Niger (4), and Sokoto (1).
The NCDC has stated that as part of its overall efforts to reduce the occurrence of the outbreak of cholera, it is technically supporting the states affected, and also providing commodities. It has also ramped up surveillance in states through routine integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR), and event-based surveillance (EBS).
The national multi-sectoral cholera Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to monitor response across states.
According to the NCDC, “In the reporting month (May 26 to July 2), 8 States have reported 89 suspected cases of Cholera, Katsina (53), Jigawa (10), Niger (10), Ondo (7), Borno (5), Adamawa (2) and one (1) in both Bayelsa and Plateau States. Two deaths were recorded.
“As of July 2, 2023, a total of 2,052 suspected cases including 55 deaths (Case Fatality Ratio, CFR of 2.7 per cent) have been reported from 24 states.
“Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age groups less than 5 years are mostly affected, followed by the age groups greater than 45 years in aggregate of both males and females. Of all suspected cases, 51 per cent are males and 49 per cent are females.
“Cross River (718 cases) accounts for 25 per cent of all suspected cases in the country of the 24 States that have reported cases of cholera.
“Obubra Local Government Area (LGA) (515 cases) in Cross River State accounts for 25 per cent of all suspected cases reported in the country.”
The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, particularly in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices.
The Agency also urged stakeholders, including the government to continuously construct sanitation and hygiene facilities with boreholes in cholera hotspots.