The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised an alert on the rising cholera cases in the country, reporting 1,141 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths between January and June 11, 2024. These cases span 96 local government areas across 30 states. The NCDC's Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, emphasized that ten states—Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos—account for 90% of the cholera burden.

As the rainy season progresses, Dr. Idris warned Nigerians about the increasing cholera trend, noting a recent outbreak in Lagos State. The multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group, led by the NCDC and including various federal ministries, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners, is actively supporting affected states. Their efforts encompass risk communication, active case search, laboratory diagnosis, case management, provision of response commodities, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions.

Cholera, a food and water-borne disease caused by ingesting the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae in contaminated water or food, often spreads through water contaminated by the feces of infected individuals. Contamination can occur at the water source, during transportation, or during storage at home. Food may also become contaminated through soiled hands during preparation or eating. Dr. Idris highlighted that beverages made with contaminated water, street vendor foods, ice, and even commercial bottled water have been implicated in cholera transmission, along with cooked vegetables and fruits freshened with untreated wastewater.

People at risk include individuals of all ages living in areas with limited access to clean water. Preventive measures against cholera include ensuring access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation and waste disposal, and maintaining good personal hygiene, especially handwashing.

To reduce cholera risk, Dr. Idris advised Nigerians to:

• Boil and store drinking water in clean, covered containers.
• Practice good personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing with soap under clean running water.
• Ensure food is well-cooked before consumption.
• Avoid open defecation and indiscriminate refuse dumping.
• Properly dispose of waste and frequently clear sewage.

By adhering to these guidelines, the spread of cholera can be significantly curtailed, protecting public health during the rainy season and beyond.