From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), yesterday, disclosed that deaths arising from cholera had reached 378 as at October 13 while 14,237 cases were reported across 35 states and the FCT, spanning 339 local government areas.
It said the floods in the northern states such as Borno, Adamawa, Jigawa, Yobe, and Kano exacerbated the spread of cholera.
NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, told journalists at a press conference in Abuja that cholera has remained a serious public health issue, particularly in communities with poor Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems.
“This year has seen two significant waves of cholera with the most recent surge reported during the week of September 29 (Epi Week 39), attributed to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding.
“This is a pattern we anticipated, having foreseen the risks through data and advisories provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
“Earlier in the year, the cholera cases were concentrated in southern states as the rains began there, but we have seen a shift, with northern states now accounting for a significant portion of cases.”
NCDC boss also confirmed that the agency has commenced plans to respond to some diseases that accompany the imminent dry season, especially Lassa Fever, Meningitis and others.
“Our attention has shifted to Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), a seasonal threat that peaks between January and April. We are in October. So, we have two months to prepare. However, while projections for the upcoming CSM season suggest a moderate number of cases, the NCDC is not taking any chances.
“Over 400 healthcare workers across nine states have been trained in case management and cerebrospinal fluid collection, which is essential for accurate laboratory diagnosis and effective treatment.
“Additionally, we are conducting operational research in collaboration with our partners and convening stakeholders for after-action reviews to ensure that our response strategies are both evidence-based and cost-effective.”
On Lassa fever, the NCDC boss said, “since the beginning of 2024, Nigeria has recorded 1,018 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 172 deaths, with the majority of cases reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.
“While the peak of the Lassa fever outbreak was declared over in April, sporadic cases continue to be reported, with 37 new cases and four deaths recorded in the past month alone. This reaffirms that Lassa fever remains a persistent health threat, particularly as we approach the dry season when cases typically surge.
“To mitigate this risk, we have strengthened our preparedness for the upcoming Lassa fever season. We have reviewed our response to the previous outbreak, identified lessons learned to enhance future interventions.”
He said the NCDC, remains at the forefront of the fight to protect public health in Nigeria through coordinated efforts with local and international partners. “We are committed to providing the highest level of protection against these disease threats.”
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