The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports 1,307 suspected cholera cases across 30 states and 34 associated deaths, urging vigilance as the rainy season progresses
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Friday announced a significant rise in suspected cholera cases across the country.
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Speaking at a national health security press briefing in Abuja, the Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, revealed that 1,307 suspected cases have been recorded across 30 states and 98 Local Government Areas.
Dr Idris also reported that the country has recorded 34 cholera-associated deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 2.6 per cent, which is considerably higher than the national target of less than one per cent.
He emphasized that cholera remains an endemic disease in Nigeria, particularly affecting communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Cholera is a highly contagious infection caused by the bacterium *Vibrio cholerae* and can be fatal if not treated promptly and adequately.
Dr Idris warned of a concerning trend in cholera transmission as Nigeria approaches the peak of the rainy season.
He highlighted the importance of proactive dissemination of localized flood risk data to facilitate coordinated action at all levels to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks like cholera. The NCDC is actively monitoring these occurrences.
Cholera is a food and water-borne illness, contracted through the ingestion of *Vibrio Cholerae* in contaminated water and food.
Water contamination typically occurs through the faeces of infected individuals and can happen at the source, during transportation, or in household storage. Food can be contaminated by unclean hands during preparation or consumption.
Street-vended beverages made with contaminated water, ice, and even commercially bottled water have been implicated in transmission, as have uncooked vegetables and fruits washed with untreated wastewater.
The incubation period for cholera ranges from two hours to five days. The risk of transmission is higher in areas with inadequate sanitation and a lack of regular access to clean water.
Unsafe practices such as improper waste disposal and open defecation further endanger water safety.
Dr Idris identified key populations at higher risk, including individuals of all ages in areas with limited clean water, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene; slum dwellers; rural populations relying on unsafe water sources; those consuming potentially contaminated food without proper washing and cooking; and individuals with poor hand hygiene practices.
As of epidemiological week 16 (ending 20 April 2025), 1,307 suspected cases of cholera have been reported across 30 states and 98 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with 34 associated deaths, resulting in a CFR of 2.6 per cent.” – Dr Jide Idris, Director General, NCDC
He also noted that man-made or natural disasters like floods, leading to displacement and overcrowding, caregivers of cholera patients, and healthcare workers without standard precautions are at increased risk.
The symptoms of cholera include acute, profuse, painless watery diarrhoea (often described as rice water stools) with a sudden onset, which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and fever.
Severe dehydration from massive fluid loss can lead to death within hours. However, about 80 per cent of infected individuals may only experience mild or no symptoms.
Dr Idris stressed that cholera is easily treatable if detected early, primarily through prompt administration of oral rehydration solution (ORS) to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, along with appropriate antibiotics.
He cautioned that cholera can be deadly without immediate access to care. Prevention measures include ensuring access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation and waste disposal, and appropriate hygiene practices, including thorough handwashing.
He also advised avoiding raw fruits and vegetables, food from street vendors, and raw or undercooked seafood.
The NCDC is actively working to enhance preparedness and response capacity, including conducting cholera readiness workshops across different regions of the country, disseminating treatment protocols, prepositioning response commodities, and prioritizing high-risk Local Government Areas for multisectoral intervention.
They are also assessing the readiness of all states for potential outbreaks and disseminating updated risk communication materials.
Dr Idris concluded by emphasizing the need for intensified multisectoral collaboration, particularly in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), to prevent further transmission and reduce mortality.
The NCDC remains committed to leading a coordinated national response in partnership with state governments and other stakeholders.
