Nigeria Battles Cholera Outbreak and Lassa Fever Spike

Strategic Insights -

Nigeria is facing a public health crisis with the cholera outbreak claiming 53 lives and over 1,500 suspected cases recorded across 107 local governments in 31 states. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate a response to the outbreak. Meanwhile, the country has recorded seven new confirmed cases of Lassa Fever, bringing the total number of deaths to 162 with a case fatality rate of 17.6%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The cholera outbreak has claimed 53 lives and over 1,500 suspected cases have been recorded across 107 local governments in 31 states.
  • The NCDC has activated the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate a response to the outbreak.
  • Nigeria has recorded seven new confirmed cases of Lassa Fever, bringing the total number of deaths to 162 with a case fatality rate of 17.6%.
  • 66% of all confirmed cases in 2024 were reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, while 34% were reported from 25 states.
  • The case fatality rate for cholera is 17.6% in 2024, higher than the 17.1% recorded for the same period in 2023.
  • An expert risk assessment placed Nigeria at high risk of increased cholera transmission and impact.
  • The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, has advised Nigerians to avoid locally made drinks like kunu, zobo, and fura to prevent the spread of cholera disease.
  • Cholera is a food and waterborne disease caused by ingestion of the organism Vibrio cholera in contaminated water and food.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently announced the global resurgence of cholera.

Statistics:

  • 53 deaths and over 1,500 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded across 107 local governments in 31 states.
  • 162 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 17.6% in 2024.
  • 66% of all confirmed cases in 2024 were reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, while 34% were reported from 25 states.
  • The case fatality rate for cholera in 2024 is 17.6%, higher than the 17.1% recorded for the same period in 2023.
  • 918 confirmed cases of Lassa fever have been reported in 2024.
  • 125 Local Government Areas have recorded at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever across 28 states.

Sources:

  • Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) situation report for week 24 of 2024
  • Jide Idris, Director General of NCDC
  • Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment
  • World Health Organisation (WHO)
  • Premium Times