Nigeria’s Cholera outbreak: Lagos takes the lead with 104 fresh cases
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Monday has disclosed that Lagos State is at the epicentre of the cholera outbreak in Nigeria, with 104 new cases reported in the last week, out of a total of 113 cases across the country.
According to the NCDC, the latest data on its website shows that Lagos State alone has contributed significantly to the country’s total of 576 cases, with 533 suspected cholera cases reported in the last month.
The NCDC further disclosed that the outbreak has resulted in seven deaths nationwide, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.1 per cent in Lagos State. Other states with reported cases include Ogun (7), Katsina (1), Ogun (19), Rivers (9), Katsina (8), Oyo (2), Abia (2), Bayelsa (2), and Sokoto (1).
The agency noted that in the last month, 32 deaths were recorded across the country, with a CFR of 5.6 per cent, significantly higher than the national expected average of one per cent.
The NCDC has embarked on efforts to diagnose and control the outbreak, including 217 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT), with 17 positive results, and 232 stool culture tests, with 28 positive results.
The National Multi-sectoral Cholera Technical Working Group (TWG) is overseeing and coordinating response efforts across the affected states. As of June 23, 2024, Nigeria has reported a total of 1,579 suspected cholera cases and 54 deaths (CFR 3.4 per cent across 32 states.
The age groups most affected are children under five years old, followed by those aged five -14 years, with an equal distribution between males and females.
According to the NCDC, Lagos State leads with 537 cases, accounting for 34 per cent of the national total, followed by Bayelsa State, which reported 466 cases.
Other significantly affected states include Abia (109), Zamfara (64), Bauchi (46), Katsina (45), Cross River (43), Ebonyi (38), Rivers (37), Delta (34), Imo (28), Ogun (21), Nasarawa (19), Ondo (17), Kano (13), Niger (11), and Osun (11).
The NCDC has noted a 37 per cent decrease in suspected cholera cases compared to the same period in 2023, with a 21 per cent reduction in cumulative deaths in 2024.
