The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has revealed that the cholera outbreak in Nigeria has dramatically surged in 2024, with suspected cases increasing by a staggering 220%. According to the agency’s latest epidemiological report, by the end of week 39, Nigeria had recorded 10,837 suspected cholera cases and 359 deaths, marking a 239% rise in fatalities compared to the previous year.
Cholera, an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water, remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in communities with limited access to sanitation. The NCDC highlighted that conflict, climate change, poverty, and underdevelopment, compounded by the displacement of populations due to emerging and re-emerging conflicts and natural hazards, have all contributed to the rising cholera cases.
“In the past week alone, 198 new suspected cases were reported across five states, leading to 15 deaths and a weekly Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 7.6%,” the NCDC stated. Adamawa, Ebonyi, Borno, Kano, and Jigawa were identified as the states most affected during this period, with Adamawa emerging as a hotspot, reporting 535 suspected cases in just the past month. The agency also noted that Lagos State had reported the highest number of suspected cholera cases in 2024, accounting for 43% of the national total.
“Lagos Island Local Government Area (LGA) is particularly hard-hit, contributing 5% of all suspected cases nationwide,” the NCDC added. Stool cultures and rapid diagnostic tests have been conducted in the area to monitor the situation, with 254 RDTs yielding 175 positive results, and 149 stool cultures, of which 103 tested positive.
The report also revealed that children under five years old were the most affected demographic, followed by those between the ages of five and 14. While male cases accounted for 52% of suspected infections, females represented 48%. These statistics underscore the vulnerable nature of young children in cholera-prone areas, as they are at higher risk of contracting the disease due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
As the outbreak continues to worsen, the NCDC has activated a national multi-sectoral Cholera Technical Working Group to oversee the response efforts in the affected states. The agency has also urged the public to adhere to preventive measures, including proper handwashing, safe food handling, and reporting suspected cases promptly.
The NCDC highlighted several challenges hampering the fight against cholera, including poor access to clean water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and widespread open defecation in affected communities. “Open defecation continues to pose a major challenge in curbing the spread of cholera,” the agency said, pointing out that in some rural areas and urban slums, residents rely on water vendors, leading to the consumption of unclean water.
In addition to poor sanitation, the NCDC cited a shortage of skilled personnel in states, which has impacted effective case management. The report also pointed to a lack of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials at the community level, as well as inadequate logistics for active case search and insufficient supplies for case management.
With the number of cholera cases far exceeding the previous year’s figures, public health experts are urging the government to take immediate action to prevent the outbreak from worsening. Enhanced intervention strategies, continuous community engagement, and improved health infrastructure are critical to curbing the spread of the disease. The NCDC has encouraged the public to stay informed by visiting its website or contacting its toll-free helpline for more updates on the ongoing cholera situation.
As cholera outbreaks continue to spread across Nigeria, similar outbreaks are also occurring globally, with increasing deaths reported in regions such as the Middle East, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), deaths from diarrheal diseases, including cholera, have surged worldwide,showing the growing global threat of cholera outbreaks.
