Cholera Outbreak : NCDC Confirms 3,623 Cases, 103 Deaths

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 3,623 cases and 103 deaths from cholera outbreak in the country.

The Director General of (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, who made this known at a news briefing, provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing cholera outbreak that has affected the nation.

Dr. Idris noted that the situation became critical due to the rainy season, which has exacerbated the spread of various epidemic-prone diseases.

The NCDC boss said the centre has implemented a national incident action plan and intensified efforts at supporting states in active case search, optimizing laboratory capacity, and prepositioning cholera management supplies to combat the outbreak

He said that national rapid response teams have been deployed to the top six states contributing to 83% of cases, Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina, and Zamfara

The NCDC also issued a general advisory for the rainy season, emphasizing the impact of heavy rainfall on the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever.

According to him, “More importantly, we call on all government agencies, sub national level actors, partners, civil society organizations, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and every citizen to redouble their efforts towards the prevention and containment of these diseases to avoid further loss of lives.”

He also spoke on the symptoms and preventative measures against yellow fever “The disease, although preventable using a single dose of yellow fever vaccine, which provides immunity for life; can lead to death within a few days if care is not sought early.

“The NCDC continues to monitor reports of yellow fever cases in Nigeria all year round. As a result of the current rainy season, we are also observing an increase in suspected cases.”

While acknowledging that Nigeria can actually win the war against these diseases or bring it down to the bearest minimum, Dr. Idris called for preventive measures for the public, which included boiling and storing water safely, practising proper hand hygiene, and avoiding open defecation.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji