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Cholera outbreak in Nigeria sees alarming 220% spike in suspected cases

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6 months ago

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the cholera outbreak in Nigeria has seen a sharp increase in 2024, with suspected cases rising by an alarming 220 per cent.

The NCDC, on its official website, said that this was according to the latest epidemiological report.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Cholera is an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water. Communities with limited access to sanitation are most affected.

Conflict, climate change, inadequate safe water and sanitation, poverty, underdevelopment, and population displacement due to emerging and re-emerging conflicts and disasters from natural hazards all contribute to the rise in cholera outbreaks.

The Nigerian Public Health Agency said that by the end of epidemiological week 39, the country had recorded 10,837 suspected cases and 359 deaths.

It said that the figure represented 239 per cent increase in fatalities compared to 2023.

It said that the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for the year stood at 3.3 per cent, slightly higher than the 3.1 per cent recorded in the previous year.

“In the past week alone, 198 new suspected cases were reported across five states, leading to 15 deaths and a weekly CFR of 7.6 per cent.

“The states most affected by the outbreak during week 39 include Adamawa (131 cases), Ebonyi (30 cases), Borno (29 cases), Kano (7 cases), and Jigawa (1 case).

“Adamawa continues to be a hotspot, with 535 suspected cases reported in the past month,” it said.

The agency said that since the beginning of 2024, Lagos state had reported the highest number of suspected cholera cases, contributing 43 per cent of the national total.

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It said that Lagos Island Local Government Area (LGA) accounted for five per cent of the country’s overall cases.

“Lagos Island LGA is particularly hard-hit, contributing five per cent of all suspected cases nationwide.

“Stool cultures have been employed to monitor the situation, with 254 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) conducted, yielding 175 positive results, and 149 stool cultures, of which 103 tested positive,” it said.

It said that other states, including Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Katsina, had also reported significant case numbers, highlighting the widespread nature of the outbreak.

“Jigawa recorded 870 cases, Kano recorded cases, and Borno recorded588 cases,” it said.

The NCDC disclosed that children under five years old were most affected, followed by those aged between five and 14.

It said that the male population represented 52 per cent of the total suspected cases, with females making up 48 per cent.

The NCDC report underscores the need for continued vigilance and response efforts, as the outbreak shows no signs of slowing.

The Agency has activated a national multi-sectoral Cholera Technical Working Group to monitor and respond to outbreaks across states.

It stressed the importance of improving sanitation, access to clean water, and public health education to curb the spread of the disease.

“Efforts are ongoing to strengthen health systems and enhance surveillance in high-risk areas,” it said.

The agency urged the public to report suspected cholera cases and adhere to preventive measures, including proper handwashing and safe food handling, to reduce transmission.

Meanwhile, according to the NCDC, in communities affected by the outbreak of the infectious disease, open defecation is a common practice.

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It said that the practice continued to pose a challenge to the country’s effort at curbing the spread of cholera.

The agency also highlighted the poor access to potable water, sanitation and WASH supplies.

It said that lack of drinking water in some rural areas and urban slums; water shortage leading to reliance on people selling water in Jerry cans were also responsible for the spread,

“There is also inadequate WASH infrastructure and supplies including wastewater management facilities,” it said

The NCDC also said that the shortage of skilled personnel in states impeded efforts to ensure effective case management.

As part of the challenges affecting the effort to curb the spread, the agency highlighted the absence of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials at the community level.

It also cited the poor access to consumables and supplies for case management.

“No IEC materials at the community level, inadequate consumables and supplies for case management, inadequate logistics for active case search, thus insufficient active case search in the communities,” the report reads.

NAN recalls that with cholera cases already far exceeding last year’s numbers, there is a growing concern that the outbreak could worsen if immediate action was not taken.

Public health experts are calling for enhanced intervention strategies and continuous community engagement to combat this deadly disease.

For more information and updates on the cholera situation, the public is encouraged to visit the NCDC website or contact the toll-free helpline.

Meanwhile, cholera outbreaks in the Middle East, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa are spreading globally and becoming more deadly.

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According to a new analysis by the World Health Organization, deaths from diarrheal disease soared last year, far outpacing the rise in cases.

Although cholera is easy to prevent and costs little to treat, large outbreaks have overwhelmed even well-prepared health systems in countries that had not faced the disease in years.

Globally, the number of cholera deaths reported last year increased by 71 per cent compared to 2022, while reported cases rose by 13 per cent.

The WHO report attributed much of the increase to conflict and climate change(NAN)

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Health

Maternal Mortality Has Dropped By 40% Globally —UN

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4 days ago

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April 8, 2025

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Natalia Kanem, executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has announced a 40 per cent decline in global maternal mortality since 2000.

According to NAN, Kanem spoke at an event organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to mark this year’s World Health Day.

The 2025 campaign, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, aims to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths while enhancing women’s health.

Kanem noted that no country currently has an “extremely high” maternal mortality rate exceeding 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births.

“Globally, women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth is better than ever before,” she said, attributing the results to medical advancements, reproductive autonomy, and quality maternal care.

She noted that while more births occur in healthcare facilities, care quality varies, with poor standards causing half of maternal deaths.

“Research finds that poor-quality care causes half of maternal deaths and shortages in essential medicines, equipment and skilled personnel plague many health systems,” she added.

“Discrimination further limits access for marginalised groups, even in wealthy nations. We can and must end preventable maternal deaths. We know what works and why.”

She called on stakeholders to provide strong laws, political and financial support for positive impact.

“On this World Health Day, let us prioritise investments so that we can reach zero preventable maternal deaths,” she added.

“Let us commit to building healthier, more just societies and to ensure that all women bringing life into this world can survive childbirth and thrive afterwards.”

ALSO READ:  Maternal Mortality Has Dropped By 40% Globally —UN
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142 LGAs certified open defecation free – Official

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1 week ago

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April 5, 2025

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Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet Campaign Conference, said that only 142 Local Government Areas out of the 744 Local Government Areas, (LGAs) in Nigeria have been certified open defecation free by the Federal Government.

The National Coordinator of the conference, Mrs. Chizoma Opara, disclosed this at a one day Sensitisation Programme organised by the conference in Awka on Friday.

The campaign was organised by the National Water Resources Building Network, South East Centre in collaboration with Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet and Environment Development.

Opara regretted that Nigeria, at the 21st Century, still talked about open defecation and described the act as “high lack of commitment” by the stakeholders who should know better and drive the advocacy down to the grassroots for greater success impact.

“We need to encourage better sanitation in the country as poor water supply and hygiene as well as environmental degradation is a big challenge in Nigeria.

“Three LGAs in Anambra state comprising Anambra East, Aguata and Nnewi North have also been certified open defecation free by the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) and urged more efforts to cover all the states in the South East.

“Genuine commitment by key stakeholders, religious bodies, traditional rulers, women, youth groups and private individuals in combating the menace of open defecation in Nigeria is apt,” she said

She called on Nigerians to develop the spirit of patriotism in the comprehensive war against open defecation in every part of the country with a view to reducing it to barest minimum.

Opara said that the programme were hinged on advocacy on behavioral change, imbibing a whole lot of culture and capacity building among Nigerians for holistic fight of the holocaust in the country by all.

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She said that the organisation would soon come up with a new strategy anchored on five pillars to include funding, creating of an enabling environment, environmental awareness campaign, advocacy and communication among others.

She called on those in the private sector and philanthropists in the state to key in to drive to change the narratives of open defecation in Nigeria as government could not do it alone.

Earlier, Mr Ike- Obi Ejiofor, the Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anambra State Water Resources Management Agency, said that the essence of the event was to interact and to drive the five states in the South- East to clean and hygienic environment.

He described the attendance of the event by the five Commissioners of power and water resources in the South- East as a clear testament that the Coordinator of the programme had a very strong strategy.

Ejiofor noted that in 2019 and 2020, Anambra was declared open defecation free with particular reference to Anambra East, Aguata and Nnewi North respectively by the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH).

Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ike Chebelu, represented by Prof. Ada Omeyi, said that the theme of the event was in line with the university’s administration.

He described open defecation as unhealthy anywhere in the world, adding that his office was doing everything possible to keep the institution clean and to ensure availability of water in all corners of the University.

The Director-General, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, represented by Mr.Mike Nwode, stated that the sensitisation campaign was apt and timely considering the efforts the Federal Government made to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDP).

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He said that the goal was to target universal access to safe and affordable water and access to sanitation and hygiene and to end open defecation by 2030 in the country.

According to him, Nigeria is losing about N450 billion to poor sanitation annually.

The Director, National Water Resources Capacity Building Network (NWRCBNet) South East, Prof Emma Ezenwaji, challenged Nigerian youths to come together and form WASH associations at community level to solve holistically the challenges of the programme in the country.

In another lecture on “The Role of Young People in Clean Nigeria Campaign”, the Coordinator, Youth Wash Initiative Africa, Mr. Uchenna Obiakor, urged Nigerian youths and other stakeholders in the sector to see the issues of water, environmental and physical hygiene as a collective responsibility.

Obiakor encouraged the youths to drive meaningful and impactful development programmes in the country especially in the area of service to humanity.

Mr Francis Ekwempu of the Environment Development Initiative for Africa, (EDAI), stated that any money committed in the Clean Nigeria Campaign was not in vain but a commitment to improve healthy living in Nigeria.

Earlier,the Traditional Ruler of Umuawuku Community, Awka South LGA , Dr.Joel Egwuonwu, appealed to governments at all levels and wealthy Nigerians to assist in funding Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet Campaign to save Nigerians, from contracting dreaded diseases associated with poor sanitation and poor hygienic environment.

In his contribution, Mr Golden Iloh, the Member, representing Ihiala two constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Power and Water Resources, described the event as worth emulating and implementing.

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Iloh said that Anambra State was a model where the leadership of the state wanted to build livable and sustainable mega city, promising that he would initiate a move to make law on the open defecation in the state within three months.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Mr.Julius Chukwuemeka, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Victor Ezekwo, described the Soludo administration in the state as environment friendly.

Chukwurmeka said that the present government was working in all sectors of the state economy simultaneously, referencing the current water supply in Nnewi, Awka and Onitsha as a clear example. (NAN)

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Nigeria Receives over 1m Meningitis Vaccine Doses to Combat Outbreak

Published

1 week ago

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April 4, 2025

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The ministry of health has received over 1,000,000 pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV).

A statement on Friday said the vaccines were sent from the Gavi-funded global stockpile to combat the meningitis outbreak in northern Nigeria.

The disease has already claimed over 70 lives, with more than 800 cases across 23 states.

Gavi funds the global stockpiles of vaccines against cholera, ebola, meningitis and yellow fever, which are accessible to all countries in the world.

The organisation also supports the cost of procurement, delivery and outbreak response campaigns in lower-income countries, as well as preventive and routine immunisation activities where needed.

Use of the stockpiles for outbreak response is managed by the international coordinating group (ICG) on vaccine provision, and doses are delivered to countries by UNICEF.

The ICG approved the deployment of over 1.5 million doses of Men5CV in response to Nigeria’s request in March 2025.

The first shipment will enable the launch of an outbreak response campaign targeting individuals aged 1 to 29.

The campaign will initially launch in Kebbi state and Sokoto state, with plans to expand to Yobe state as additional doses arrive in the country.

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health & social welfare, said the arrival of the Men5CV vaccines is a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s response to the current meningitis outbreak.

He added that it reflects the government’s commitment to protect the health and well-being of all Nigerians.

“Through the Nigeria health sector renewal investment initiative and the sector-wide approach, we have prioritised epidemic preparedness and rapid response as part of our broader health security agenda. We are grateful for the support of Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF in enabling this swift deployment,” he said.

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“Together, we are not only containing today’s outbreak but also laying the foundation to eliminate meningitis and strengthen routine immunization for the future.”

On his part, Francisco Luquero, Gavi’s head of high-impact outbreaks, said with the organisation’s support, vaccines successfully eliminated meningitis A from Africa’s “meningitis belt”.

“Continued investment in this work is critical to protect the incredible progress made so far, control future outbreaks, and dramatically reduce the devastating impact that seasonal epidemics of meningitis have on families and communities,” he said.

Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria country representative, said every child deserves protection from life-threatening diseases like meningitis.

Munduate added that the arrival of the meningitis vaccine marks a critical step in stopping the current outbreak and safeguarding Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

“UNICEF is proud to support the government by ensuring rapid vaccine deployment, community engagement, and planning and implementation of the response, while working alongside Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, National Primary Health Care Development Agency and Federal Ministry of Health and social welfare to strengthen immunisation efforts in Nigeria,” Munduate said.

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