The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated a National Cholera Multi-sectoral Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate the cholera outbreak response in the country.
Meanwhile, about 1528 suspected cases and 53 deaths have been recorded as of 24th June, 2024, in 31 states and 101 Local Government Areas in the country, with a fatality rate of 3.5 percent since the beginning of the year.
Lagos is the epicentre of the outbreak, having recorded the highest number of cases.
Meanwhile, the Centre is to meet with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) as part of efforts to contain the spread of the disease and prevent further loss of lives.
Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, observed that the outcome of risk assessment placed the country at high risk of increased cholera transmission and impact, adding that the situation is likely to be compounded as the rainy season intensifies, hence the need for immediate and coordinated actions to halt the spread.
He said, “We are facing another public health emergency in our nation as we are just coming out of Lassa fever and meningitis outbreaks. Cholera, a highly contagious food and waterborne disease, has in the recent past reared its devastating head in several states across our country. In response to the rapidly increasing cholera cases, a dynamic risk assessment was conducted by subject matter experts in Nigeria last week. The outcome of the risk assessment conducted by subject matter experts and major partners placed the country at ‘High Risk’ of increased risk of cholera transmission and impact. This demands our immediate and coordinated actions and therefore necessitated the activation of the National Cholera Multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Nigeria.”
The Director General said that the Centre is collaborating with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to secure vaccines, adding that the demand for cholera vaccines outweighs the availability globally. He added that the Minister of Health has approached Gavi for assistance.
Idris noted that when the vaccines arrive, NPHCDA will distribute them based on their own criteria but warned that vaccines alone cannot prevent cholera, because it has to do with water, sanitation, and hygiene, and all these must be addressed.
He explained that the EOC will serve as the nerve centre for supporting affected states and the coordination of response efforts across the country by facilitating rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making, and also ensure that the country deploys resources efficiently, strengthens surveillance and diagnostic capacity, enhances case management, and intensifies public awareness and community engagement activities.
The NCDC boss observed that the decision to activate the Cholera EOC underscores the gravity of the situation and the NCDC’s unwavering commitment to protect the health and well-being of every Nigerian, adding that this coordinated response will mobilise resources, expertise, and support from across the NCDC, our partners, and stakeholders at all levels of government.
Idris noted that prior to the activation of the EOC, the NCDC, through the National Cholera Technical Working Group, had carried out prepositioning and distribution of medical supplies for case management, infection prevention and control, and laboratory diagnosis to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), provided offsite/onsite support to states, and followed up for daily reporting and progress with response activities.
The DG observed that cholera can be prevented by ensuring access to safe, potable drinking water; proper sanitation and waste disposal; and appropriate hygiene, including handwashing. He stressed that raw fruits and vegetables, food from street vendors, and raw or undercooked seafood should be avoided.
He advised healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion and always practise standard safety precautions by wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient or relative.
Idris called on state governments to prioritise action for solutions that ensure access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices in communities, and appealed to the Ministries of Water Resources and Environment to ensure adequate and functional Water, Environment, Sanitation and Hygiene (WESH) facilities in all LGAs and communities.
He urged Nigerians to ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking, practise good personal hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap under clean running water, use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and clean water are not available, and ensure that food is well-cooked before consumption.
According to him, “Only consume raw food such as fruits and vegetables after washing thoroughly with safe water. After cooking food or boiling water, protect against contamination by flies and unsanitary handling; leftover foods should be thoroughly reheated before ingestion. Persons with diarrhoea should not prepare or serve food or haul water for others. Nigerians should avoid open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping, ensure proper disposal of waste and frequent clearing of sewage. If you or anyone you know experiences sudden watery diarrhoea, please do not self-medicate; visit a healthcare facility immediately,” he added.
