By Nwosu Collins
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a cholera outbreak in 33 states across the country, with 2,102 suspected cases and 63 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year.
The Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed that seven of the top 10 states affected are in the southern region, with Lagos, Bayelsa, and Abia being the most affected.
“The outbreak has spread to 122 local government areas, with a case fatality rate of 3.0%. The NCDC has activated an emergency operation centre to coordinate the response, which includes surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication, and vaccination.”
The Director General added that the challenges contributing to the outbreak include open defecation, inadequate safe water, poor sanitation, weak regulation, and capacity gaps among healthcare workers.
“Only 16% of local government areas in Nigeria are open defecation free, with Jigawa being the only state to have achieved this status. Over 48 million Nigerians practice open defecation, contributing to the spread of cholera.”