Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General (DG) of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDC) has announced there are now over 2,100 suspected cases of cholera in the country, with 63 patients confirmed dead. The DG gave the update in Abuja where he also noted that the disease has spread to 33 states and 122 local governments with Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers and Delta leading in infection rates.
“As of 30th June 2024, a total of 2,102 suspected cases and 63 deaths have been recorded across 33 States and 122 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.0% since the beginning of the year. Of the top 10 States (Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Zamfara, Bauchi, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Rivers and Delta) that contribute about 90 per cent of the cases, seven of them are Southern States.
“The National Cholera Multisectoral Emergency Operation Centre activated parades an array of subject matter experts and provides strategic coordination, meets daily and provides periodic situation reports for stakeholders.
“This also ensures effective mobilization, harmonization and distribution of resources to support the affected states. This is done through the relevant thematic areas of response that cover coordination, surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Vaccination, Logistics, Research with a costed Incidence Action Plan for the response developed and being implemented.”
“These will help facilitate rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making. It will also ensure that we deploy resources efficiently, strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity, enhance treatment of affected persons, and intensify public awareness and community engagement activities,” the DG said.
He pointed out that inadequate toilet facilities, poor sanitation and inadequate safe water as factors militating against cholera eradication in the country.
He said, “Only 123 (16%) of 774 LGAs in Nigeria are open defecation-free, with Jigawa being the only open defecation-free state in Nigeria. More than 48 million Nigerians practice open defecation.
“Inadequate toilet facilities and existing ones, even in many government facilities, not well maintained. Inadequate Safe water and poor sanitation: 11 percent of schools, six percent of health facilities, four percent of motor parks and markets have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene services.”
He also listed poor waste management practices, poor food, environmental, and personal hygiene practices, and a capacity gap among healthcare workers at the state and LGA levels as challenges.
