NCDC Reports 3,623 Cholera Cases and 103 Deaths Across 34 States.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced on Tuesday that it has recorded 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory as of July 15, 2024. Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General of the NCDC, disclosed these figures during a press briefing in Abuja, noting that the current outbreak has affected 187 local government areas with a cumulative case fatality rate of 2.8 percent since the start of the year.
Dr. Idris highlighted that children aged five years are the predominant age group affected by the outbreak, with males accounting for 52 percent of the cases. He also noted a 5.6 percent decline in the number of cases during the reporting week of July 8-14 compared to the previous week.
“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 percent since the beginning of the year. The predominant age affected is five years old while males account for 52 percent of cases and females account for the rest,” said Idris.
He added, “There was a 5.6 percent decline in the number of cases in this reporting week compared to the preceding week. We also recorded a drop in the case fatality rate from 2.9 percent to 2.8 percent. This decline in the case fatality rate since week 24, when the spike started, is a positive development. However, given the trend from previous years, we know it is not over yet.”
Dr. Idris explained that the peak of cholera outbreaks typically coincides with the peak of the rainy season, which is still several weeks away. He noted that some of the northern traditional hotspot states have reported fewer cases, likely due to the delayed onset of the rainy season in those areas.
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He expressed concern about underreporting of cholera cases due to inadequate resources for surveillance and disease detection at the subnational level and the potential stigma associated with reporting cholera.
“This is largely due to inadequate resources to support surveillance and disease detection activities at the subnational level. Additionally, this may 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 said.
Dr. Idris also emphasized that the country is facing a significant increase in other epidemic-prone diseases such as Yellow fever, Lassa fever, and meningitis, in addition to the ongoing cholera outbreak.
The Federal Government, through the NCDC, has been actively responding to the cholera outbreak, which has had a significant impact on the health and well-being of Nigerians.
