Cholera: NCDC reports 1,861 suspected cases, 54 deaths

According to the data obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), over 54 persons have been reportedly killed by Cholera.

Cholera, is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholera, occurs majorly during the wet season.

The 16 states, that had reported suspected cholera cases in 2022 are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers, Taraba and Zamfara.

The centre said, “There was a 180% increase in the number of new suspected cases in April compared to March.

“A total of 1,861 suspected cases including 54 deaths have been reported from 16 states in 2022. Out of the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, the age group of children less than five years is the most affected.

“Three states, namely Taraba, Cross River and Katsina, account for 72 per cent of all cumulative cases.”

An epidemiologist, Dr. Stephen Fagbemi, said cholera outbreak is rampant during the rainy season because of peoples’ poor hygiene habits.

“The issue of cholera is about personal and environmental hygiene. Now that we are in the rainy season, we should make sure the drains are clear and avoid throwing our waste into the gutters.

“We should also ensure that our wells are secured, we should raise the edge of the wells so that running waters will not go into them. People should also avoid locating the well close to the toilets.”

According to the World Health Organisation, Cholera remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.

The global health body, which noted that the disease can cause severe acute watery stool, stated, it takes between 12 hours and 5 days for a person to show symptoms after ingesting contaminated food or water.

Punch