A total of 1,336 suspected cases of cholera, including 79 fatal cases, have been reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control so far in 2023.
This information was provided by the NCDC in its most recent epidemiological update on the cholera situation on Monday.
According to the report, suspected cases were reported in 12 states and 43 local government areas, with a case fatality rate of 5.9%.
Abia, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto, and Zamfara are the 12 states that have reported instances to the federal government.
An intestinal infection with the Vibrio cholerae bacteria is what causes cholera, an acute diarrheal sickness. Ingesting food or water that has cholera bacteria in it can make a person ill. Infections are frequently minor or symptomless, but they can also be serious and even fatal at times.
At least 24 nations are still reporting cholera cases, says the World Health Organization. Large portions of the world are currently experiencing low or inter-epidemic transmission rates, which, in light of past transmission patterns and seasonality, suggests that this figure may rise in the months to come.
In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic, seasonal illness that typically manifests during the rainy season and more frequently in unhygienic locations.
Part of the report’s summary stated, “Of the probable cases since the start of the year, age groups 15 to 24 and >45 years are the most afflicted for males and females, respectively. Males make up 53% of all suspected cases, while females make up 47%.
“Six states – Cross River (647 cases), Ebonyi (97 cases), Abia (72 cases), Niger (38 cases), and Zamfara (28 cases) account for 96 per cent of all cumulative cases.
“Fifteen LGAs across nine states Ebonyi (4), Cross River (3), Ondo (2), Bayelsa (1), Abia (1), Katsina (1), Sokoto (1) Niger (1) and Zamfara (1), reported more than 5 cases each this year.”
According to the NCDC, training on cholera surveillance, hotspot mapping, and state-level preparedness and response strategies would continue.
