Cholera, a severe diarrheal illness caused by consuming contaminated food or water, continues to pose a major public health risk in Nigeria, particularly in regions with inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. The disease, marked by intense watery diarrhea, can lead to dehydration and death if not treated promptly. Historical records highlight cholera's persistent presence in Nigeria, with significant outbreaks occurring since 1970, including major incidents in 1991, 1999, 2010, 2018, and 2024.
Cholera is surging in Nigeria, health officials said this week, with the number of cases and deaths increasing by more than 200% this year.
The Nigerian Center for Disease Control said in this week's epidemiological report that the country has recorded nearly 11,000 cases of cholera this year - a 220% increase compared with the same point in 2023, with most of those affected being children under five years old.
The report said fatalities over the same periods have increased from 106 to 359 - a rise of 239%.
Last month, the worst flooding in 30 years ravaged conflict-ridden Borno State, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation there. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced and moved to overcrowded camps.
"We're now facing a significant public health challenge that demands urgent attention and action,” Borno Health Commissioner Baba Mallam Gana said. “This outbreak is concerning, especially in the aftermath of a flooding incident."
“The floods have created ideal conditions for the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera by contaminating water sources and disrupting sanitation systems,” he said.
Alongside population displacement, there are critical public health issues to address. Apart from food, the overcrowded and unsanitary temporary relocation sites urgently need access to clean water, latrines, and emergency healthcare, especially with a cholera outbreak declared. Protection services are also essential for vulnerable groups, including women and girls, unaccompanied children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
The Nigerian CDC launched a national emergency response along with state authorities to bring numbers down, but the number of cases is surging, Gana said.
"We must now act swiftly to prevent further spread of this disease,” he said.
As part of the flood intervention responses, Gana said, the Borno public health emergency center was converted into a control center to coordinate surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement, as well as essential health services, infection prevention, water sanitation, and hygiene.
Newswise/SD