The latest report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on the cholera outbreak sweeping across the nation has revealed a total of 882 suspected cases, including 16 deaths from 30 states, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 1.9 percent.
The report, which was updated last on 2nd, June 2024, shows children under the age of five are the most affected, followed by those aged 5-14 years. The gender distribution of the cases is nearly even, with 49 per cent males and 51 percent females.
Further statistical analysis also confirmed that Bayelsa State has been the hardest hit, accounting for 50 per cent of all suspected cases nationwide with 442 reported cases.
Notably, Southern Ijaw LGA in Bayelsa alone reported 146 cases,16.6 percent of the national total.
Other states with significant case numbers include Zamfara with 64 cases, Abia with 51 cases, 46 cases were reported in Bauchi while Cross River witnessed 42 cases.
Also, 38 cases were recorded across different local governments in Ebonyi, while Delta recorded 34 cases. Katsina and Imo States both recorded 28 cases each.
In Nasarawa, one of the States that share a border with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 19 cases were recorded while 17 and 13 cases were recorded in Ondo and Kano States respectively. Osun and Niger States also recorded 11 cases each.
These states collectively account for 45.6 per cent of the suspected cases this year.
The NCDC report indicates a 62 per cent decrease in suspected cholera cases compared to the same period in 2023. Similarly, the number of deaths has decreased by 74 per cent in 2024.
Despite these improvements, the NCDC continues to face significant challenges in managing the outbreak.
Part of the challenges as highlighted by the report are; the difficulty in accessing some communities due to security concerns, the prevalence of open defecation in affected areas, and lack of potable drinking water in rural areas and urban slums.
Others are; Poor hygiene practices in most cholera-affected communities, inadequate health facility infrastructure and cholera management supplies (e.g., Ringer’s lactate and ORS), poor utilization of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) distributed to facilities and surveillance officers, insufficient trained personnel for case management and inconsistent and poor reporting from states.
To combat these challenges, the NCDC will continue training on cholera surveillance, and hotspot mapping, and develop state-level preparedness and response plans.
NCDC further stated that among other things, it will;
“Maintain communication with and support states for data reporting and response, advocate for increased funding in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, Distribute response commodities across states, Build capacity for sample collection, transportation, and laboratory diagnosis,”
This comprehensive approach by NCDC aims to further reduce the impact of cholera and improve overall health outcomes across the affected regions.
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