The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced a staggering 128% increase in cholera cases nationwide, with Lagos State identified as the outbreak's epicenter.
The NCDC reports that Lagos is responsible for 60% of all
confirmed cases, with Lagos Island being the most severely affected Local
Government Area (LGA).
In its recent update for epidemiological week 35, the NCDC
revealed that the death toll has surged by 106%, totaling 204 fatalities in
2024. As of September 1, there were 7,056 suspected cases, a significant rise
from the 3,096 cases reported at the same time in 2023.
In June 2024, Nigeria declared a state of emergency due to
cholera, following a case fatality rate of 3.5%, which far surpassed the
national standard of 1%.
Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, continues
to pose a serious public health risk in areas with poor sanitation and limited
access to clean water.
The NCDC stressed the necessity of understanding cholera
transmission to effectively control its spread and implement preventive
measures.
In addition to Lagos, other severely impacted states include
Bayelsa, Katsina, and Zamfara. Although the fatality rate has shown slight
improvement, decreasing from 3.2% in 2023 to 2.9%, the situation remains dire.
The agency is ramping up rapid diagnostic testing and stool
culture tests to manage the outbreak more effectively.
“Vulnerable groups, especially children under five, continue
to bear the brunt of the epidemic,” the NCDC said.
The agency also called for increased public awareness and
intervention to curb the spread of the disease, while continuing its ongoing
monitoring efforts.
Meanwhile, public health experts have identified several
factors fueling the surge in cholera cases.
Dr. John Okoro, an epidemiologist, pointed to the lack of
proper sanitation in densely populated urban areas. “The inadequate waste
management systems and poor access to clean water in places like Lagos Island
have made it a breeding ground for waterborne diseases,” Okoro said.
He stressed the urgent need for government intervention.
“Improving access to safe drinking water and investing in sanitation
infrastructure should be a top priority. Without these changes, communities in
urban slums will continue to suffer preventable outbreaks.”
Environmental health expert Mr. Peter Adamu reiterated these
issues, emphasizing the persistent deficiencies in infrastructure.
"For years, slum regions, especially in Lagos, have
been overlooked, putting residents at significant risk and exacerbating the
public health challenges faced by the nation," Adamu stated.
He advocated for a holistic strategy in urban health
planning and encouraged enhanced cooperation among health, environmental, and
urban planning agencies to avert future health emergencies.