From January to August 27, 2023, Nigeria has recorded 84 deaths and 2,860 suspected cases of cholera, according to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria and is often transmitted through contaminated food or water. The disease is more prevalent during the rainy season in areas with poor sanitation.
The data also revealed that 25 states across 124 Local Government Areas reported suspected cholera cases, with a case-fatality ratio of 2.9%. Children under the age of five were the most affected, followed by those aged five to 14. Males accounted for 51% of the suspected cases, while females made up 49%.
States with reported cases included Zamfara, Cross River, Katsina, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Niger, Abia, Jigawa, Kano, Ondo, Borno, Kaduna, Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau, Gombe, Oyo, Adamawa, Kebbi, Benue, Rivers, Ekiti, Imo, Osun, and Anambra. Zamfara had the highest number of cases, accounting for 28% of all suspected cases in the country.
While the report indicated a decrease in suspected cholera cases and cumulative deaths compared to the same period in the previous year, cholera remains a public health concern in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season. Public health efforts to improve sanitation, access to clean water, and hygiene practices are essential to preventing cholera outbreaks in the country.