NCDC records 447 cholera cases in six states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, on Monday, announced that six states have recorded 447 suspected cholera cases in the country.

Cholera: NCDC records 922 cases, 32 deaths

NCDC made the announcement on its official website, noting that the cases were reported in weeks 5 to 9 of 2023.

The figures released showed that Cross River has 397, Zamfara 25, Ebonyi 11, Abia 9, Bayelsa 3 and Kano 2 cases.

However, the agency said that 12 states have reported suspected cholera cases since the beginning of 2023, noting that they include Abia, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara.

The NCDC also added that as of March 5, a total of 922 suspected cases, including 32 deaths (CFR 3.5%), were reported from the 12 States in 2023, including Cross River (16), Ebonyi six, Abia six, Niger two, Zamfara one and Bayelsa one.

The agency’s epidemiological report showed that of all the cases recorded since the beginning of 2023, Cross River state accounted for 70 per cent of the cumulative cases across the country, with 647 cases.

The agency further revealed that Cross River’s 16 deaths, accounted for 50 per cent of all cholera deaths in the country.

“National multi-sectoral Cholera Technical Working Group continues to monitor response across states,” the NCDC added.

It also noted that of the suspected cases since the beginning of 2023, the age group above 45 years is the most affected for males and females.

The NCDC further stated that of all suspected cases, 54 per cent were males and 46 per cent, females.

The World Health Organisation defined cholera as an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholera bacteria.

The organization said that people can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria.

The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.

The global health body revealed that about one in 10 people with cholera will experience severe symptoms, which, in the early stages, include, profuse watery diarrhoea, sometimes described as rice-water stools, vomiting, thirst, leg cramps and restlessness or irritability.

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