3,623 cholera cases, 103 deaths recorded in 34 states —NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a concerning rise in suspected cholera cases, with 3,623 incidents and 103 fatalities recorded across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory as of July 15, 2024.

Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General of the NCDC, shared these alarming statistics during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He revealed that the current outbreak has affected 187 local government areas, resulting in a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8 percent since the start of the year.

Dr. Idris highlighted that children aged five are the most affected, with males constituting 52 percent of the cases and females making up the remainder.

Despite the severity of the situation, there is a glimmer of hope.

The latest data shows a 5.6 percent decline in the number of reported cases for the week of July 8th to 14th compared to the previous week.

This slight decrease offers a positive indication that control measures may be starting to take effect.

He said: “As of July 15, 2024, we have recorded 3,623 suspected cases and, unfortunately, 103 deaths across 34 states plus the Federal Capital Territory and 187 Local Government Areas, with a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8 per cent since the beginning of the year.

“The predominant age affected is 5 years old while males account for 52 per centof cases and females account for the rest.

“Furthermore, there was a 5.6 per cent decline in the number of cases in this reporting week (8th -14th July) as compared to the preceding week.

“We also recorded a drop in the case fatality rate from 2.9 per cent to 2.8 per cent. Definitely, there is a decline in case fatality rate from week 24 when the spike started to the present week.

“Whereas ongoing current efforts at the national and some state levels might have been yielding some results and are largely responsible for the decline being reported, however, given the trend from previous years, we know it is not Uhuru yet.

“The trend analysis from previous outbreaks shows the peak of the outbreak usually coincides with the peak of the rainy season, which is still some weeks ahead.

“Also, some of the northern traditional hotspot states have been reporting fewer number of cases, which may be connected with the delayed onset of the rainy season in this part of the country.

“This is largely due to inadequate resources to support surveillance and disease detection activities at the subnational level.

“Additionally this may likely be further complicated by the effect of political undertone for reporting cholera, which some see as a stigma or disease proxy indicator for the inability of the affected communities/persons to have access to potable water and other basic amenities of life.”

He added that in addition to the ongoing outbreak of cholera the country is facing, there is a significant increase in the reported incidence of other epidemic-prone diseases such as Yellow fever, Lassa fever, meningitis, among others.