NCDC Says Cholera Outbreak Not Over As Cases Top 65,000

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the cholera outbreak is still active, even though reported cases have dropped from the peak recorded earlier in the year.

NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, gave the warning on Friday during a briefing on cholera and diphtheria. Reports said Nigeria has recorded more than 65,000 suspected cholera cases across 35 states and about 195 local government areas this year.

The agency said the share of reported cholera cases ending in death is lower than it was at the same period last year, but Idris warned that the late-August to October rainy season and flooding could drive fresh infections.

He said contaminated water sources, open defecation, damaged water systems and poor sanitation continue to sustain transmission. The agency said early treatment has helped improve outcomes, especially in Borno State, where most of this year’s cases have been recorded.

The NCDC also said Nigeria has recorded more than 10,000 confirmed diphtheria cases this year, although the death rate among confirmed cases has fallen compared with the same period last year.

Sources: Vanguard, Daily Post, Daily Trust