The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a total of 1,336 suspected cases of cholera and 79 deaths in 2023 so far. NCDC made this known in its latest cholera situation epidemiological report on Monday. The report revealed that 12 States in 43 Local Government Areas reported suspected cases with a mortality rate of 5.9%. The 12 states are Abia, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by Vibrio cholera bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.
In Nigeria, the infection is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more often in areas with poor sanitation.
According to the World Health Organisation, at least 24 countries continue to report cases of the infection.
The NCDC report read in part-
“Of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age groups 15-24 and greater than 45 years are the most affected age groups for males and females. Of all suspected cases, 53 per cent are males and 47 per cent are females.”
The NCDC said it would continue training on cholera surveillance, hotspot mapping, state-level preparedness and response plans.
cc: Punch Ng
