Data released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reveals that between January and August 27, 2023, a total of 84 deaths have been attributed to cholera, with 2,860 people suspected of being infected by the disease.
The latest situation report, spanning weeks 31 to 34, and made available on Wednesday, indicates that these suspected cases were reported in 25 states across 124 Local Government Areas, resulting in a case-fatality ratio of 2.9 percent.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, typically transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water. While infections can be mild or asymptomatic, they may also manifest as severe and life-threatening.
In Nigeria, cholera is considered endemic and seasonal, with a high incidence during the rainy season, particularly in areas with inadequate sanitation facilities.
The report also highlights that individuals under the age of five are the most affected demographic group, followed by those aged five to 14, encompassing both males and females. Among all the suspected cases, 51 percent are male, while 49 percent are female.
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Several states across Nigeria have reported cholera cases, including Zamfara, Cross River, Katsina, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Niger, Abia, Jigawa, Kano, Ondo, Borno, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau, and Gombe. Others include Oyo, Adamawa, Kebbi, Benue, Rivers, Ekiti, Imo, Osun, and Anambra.
Zamfara, with 787 cases, accounts for 28 percent of all suspected cases in the country among the 25 states that have reported cholera cases. Notably, Obubra Local Government Area in Cross River State, with 515 cases, makes up 18 percent of all suspected cases nationwide.
The report concludes that among the affected states, Cross River (718 cases), Katsina (302 cases), Bayelsa (265 cases), Ebonyi (227 cases), Niger (136 cases), and Abia (118 cases) contribute to 62 percent of the suspected cases reported this year.
In a positive trend, the report indicates a 63 percent decrease in suspected cholera cases in the current year compared to the same period in 2022. Furthermore, cumulative deaths attributed to cholera have decreased by 67 percent in 2023, reflecting significant progress in managing and mitigating the disease.
