The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has placed Nigeria at high risk of cholera transmission and impact, as it declares the ongoing cholera outbreak a public health emergency.
The NCDC also disclosed that as of 24th June 2024, 53 deaths have been recorded out of 1528 suspected cases across 31 States and 107 Local Government Areas in the country.
Director General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris who noted that Nigeria has a case fatality rate of 3.5% since the beginning of the year at a briefing with newsmen on Monday in Abuja on the current cholera epidemiological situation in the country, disclosed that the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been activated to coordinate responses and support affected states.
He said: “Unfortunately, we are facing another public health emergency in our nation as we are just coming out of Lassa fever and Meningitis outbreaks.
“As of 24” June 2024, 1528 suspected cases and 53 deaths have been recorded across 31 States and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5% since the beginning of the year.
“These fatalities are not just statistics but a significant loss of a loved family member, a spouse, a parent, and often a seasoned healthcare worker and team member. This situation be compounded as the rainy season intensifies.
“In response to the rapidly increasing cholera cases, a dynamic risk assessment was conducted by subject matter experts on the Cholera outbreak situation in Nigeria last week.
“The subject matter experts were drawn from relevant Ministries (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Water Resources etc.), Departments, Agencies, stakeholders, and major partners.
“The outcome of the risk assessment placed the country at High Risk of increased risk of cholera transmission and impact. This demands our immediate and coordinated actions and therefore necessitated the activation of the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre
(EOC) in Nigeria today.
“The decision to activate the Cholera EOC underscores the gravity of the situation and our unwavering commitment to protect the health and well-being of every Nigerian.”
The NCDC boss further noted that the EOC would also “facilitate rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making processes, mobilize resources, expertise, and support from across the NCDC, our partners, and stakeholders at all levels of government.
“It will ensure efficient deployment of needed resources, strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity and capabilities, enhance case management, training and intensify public awareness and community engagement activities.”
Prior to the activation of the EOC, the NCDC had been managing the situation through a multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group led by the centre and comprising of the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and other partners to provide support to affected states.
Cholera is a food and water-borne disease, caused by the ingestion of the organism Vibrio cholerae in contaminated water and food. Water is usually contaminated by the faeces of infected individuals. Contamination of drinking water can occur at the source, during transportation, or during storage at home.
Food may also be contaminated by soiled hands, either during preparation or while eating.
Beverages or drinks prepared with contaminated water or sold by street vendors, ice, and even tampered commercially bottled water are known to spread the disease, as have cooked vegetables and fruits freshened with untreated wastewater.
The NCDC has however highlighted that cholera was easily treatable if detected early, through prompt administration of oral rehydration solution, to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, and appropriate antibiotics.
The agency has also insisted that cholera could be prevented by ensuring access to safe, potable drinking water; proper sanitation and waste disposal; and appropriate.
To reduce the risk of cholera, the NCDC advised the public to ensure that water is boiled and stored in a clean and covered container before drinking, and to practice good personal hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap under clean running water, using alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and clean water are not available.
The agency also advised ensuring that food is well cooked before consumption, protecting food and water against contamination by flies and unsanitary handling; reheating leftover foods before ingestion, avoiding open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping, and proper disposal of waste and frequent clearing of sewage.
It advised healthcare workers to practice standard safety precautions and intensify surveillance efforts to report suspected cholera cases.