103 fatalities and 3,623 reported cases have been attributed to the recent cholera epidemic. Discover more about its effects and the actions being implemented in response.
Nigeria’s cholera outbreak has affected 3,623 people in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leading to the devastating loss of 103 lives.
On July 15, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that there were cases of COVID-19 and deaths attributed to it in a combined total of 187 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
COVID-19 cases and fatalities have been primarily recorded in Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina and Zamfara states. Collectively accounting for 83% of the disease’s overall impact.
The agency reports a decline in cases and fatalities compared to previous months, despite the outbreak being initially reported in 2024.
In June, the NCDC publicized a health warning revealing that within six months of 2024 (from January through to June 11th), there were around thirty fatalities ascribed to cholera out of roughly one thousand and one hundred forty-one probable infections. On top of this, sixty-five instances had been verified across ninety-six councils spanning thirty distinct states.
At that time, the dominant disease burden was borne by 15 states which accounted for 90% of it. Yet as recently as June 21st, 2024 there have arisen a cumulative count of confirmed cases numbering at least up to1,288 with fatalities totaling thirty-four individuals- more than eighty percent linked back to those identical initial fifteen states.
Between the 21st and 23rd of June, there was a significant rise in suspected cases and deaths related to it. The death toll climbed by nineteen, reaching an alarming fifty-three while the number of potential cases surged to 1,528 across one hundred seven councils situated in thirty-one states.
On June 23rd, it was revealed that out of the 15 states, Lagos had the most significant disease burden with a total of 90% cases and causing death to approximately 29 individuals.
Jide Idris, the Director General of NCDC announced at a press conference held yesterday that cholera has primarily affected children aged five years old this year with a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8%. Of all recorded cases, males totaled to 52%, while females make up the remaining percentage.
Idris declared a decrease of 5.6% in the number of cases for the reporting week (8th -14th July) but contradicted it by stating that there was an increase compared to the previous week.
He noted that the case fatality rate has declined, from 2.9 percent to 2.8 percent. He confirmed a decrease in the case fatality rate starting at week 24, which continued until now with no doubt.
