A deadly cholera outbreak has swept across 33 Nigerian states, including Lagos, claiming at least 359 lives between January and September this year, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). In a recent update in the capital city, Abuja, the NCDC reported that suspected cases of cholera have surged to 10,837 nationwide.
Of Nigeria’s 36 states, 33 have reported suspected cases this year. Last week alone, 15 deaths were recorded from 198 new suspected cases in five states, with a case-fatality rate of 7.6 percent. The NCDC urged state governments to bolster their cholera response plans and enhance emergency preparedness as the outbreak continues to spread.
In September, the NCDC conducted 254 rapid diagnostic tests, 175 of which returned positive results. Additionally, 149 stool cultures were tested, with 103 confirming the presence of cholera.
The NCDC identified open defecation and poor access to potable water and sanitation as major factors contributing to the outbreak in affected communities. These conditions continue to hinder efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Cholera, a highly contagious illness, causes acute watery diarrhea that can lead to death from dehydration if untreated. The disease is commonly reported in Nigeria due to the widespread lack of access to clean drinking water, particularly in densely populated areas.
