Between January and August 27, 2023, Nigeria has recorded 84 deaths from cholera, with 2,860 suspected cases reported, according to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The data also indicates that 25 states across 124 Local Government Areas have reported suspected cholera cases, with a case-fatality ratio of 2.9 percent.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria and can be contracted by consuming contaminated food or water. While many cases are mild or asymptomatic, severe cases can be life-threatening. Cholera is endemic in Nigeria and tends to occur annually during the rainy season, particularly in areas with poor sanitation.
The report shows that the most affected age groups are under five years old, followed by the age groups of five to 14 years, with roughly equal proportions of males and females affected.
States that have reported cholera cases in Nigeria include Zamfara, Cross River, Katsina, and others. Cholera outbreaks are often linked to poor sanitation and access to clean water, and efforts to prevent and control the disease typically involve improving hygiene practices and access to safe drinking water.
Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Niger, Abia, Jigawa, Kano, Ondo, Borno, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau, Gombe.
Others are Oyo, Adamawa, Kebbi, Benue, Rivers, Ekiti, Imo, Osun, and Anambra state.
“Zamfara (787 cases) accounts for 28 percent of all suspected cases in the country of the 25 States that have reported cases of cholera. Obubra LGA (515 cases) in Cross River State accounts for 18% of all suspected cases reported in the country.
“Of the affected States, Cross River (718 cases), Katsina (302 cases), Bayelsa (265 cases), Ebonyi (227 cases), Niger (136 cases) and Abia (118 cases) account for 62 per cent of the suspected cases this year,” the report read in part.
Comparatively, it said suspected cases of cholera in the current year have decreased by 63 percent compared to what was reported as of week 34 in 2022. Likewise, cumulative deaths recorded have decreased by 67 percent in 2023.
